רֶשֶׁת (H7568) — Hebrew Lexicon

רֶשֶׁת

𐤓𐤔𐤕

resheth

H7568 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A net, typically a woven or interlaced device used for trapping or catching animals, birds, or fish; also used figuratively for entrapment or peril. The term generally denotes a physical object made of strings, cords, or threads intricately arranged to ensnare, as well as a metaphorical device for ensnaring a person or group.

Semantic Range

net, snare, device for catching animals or birds, metaphorical trap, instrument of entrapment, peril

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root יָרַשׁ (yarash), which primarily means 'to take possession, dispossess, inherit.' The noun רֶשֶׁת (resheth) is formed from this root and refers concretely to something that captures or takes possession — namely, a net. While the connection between 'possession' and 'net' is semantically plausible (a net 'takes possession' of what it ensnares), the derivation is debated among philologists, and some regard the etymology as uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, רֶשֶׁת appears most frequently in poetic or figurative contexts (Psalms, Proverbs), where it conveys both literal and metaphorical trapping. In descriptions of hunting or warfare, it refers to an actual net used to catch birds or animals (e.g., Psalm 140:6; Proverbs 1:17). Figuratively, it often symbolizes danger, plots, or snares set by enemies (e.g., Psalm 25:15; 35:7), highlighting the threat of entrapment by hostile forces or circumstances. Distinct from related Hebrew terms such as מְצוֹדָה (mesudah, 'stronghold, snare') or חֵפֶר (chefer, 'pit, trap'), רֶשֶׁת emphasizes the intricate, manufactured nature of the device. English translations tend to render it as 'net,' but may not always capture its metaphorical nuance. Over time, its usage did not substantially change, but subsequent periods (Second Temple and later) preferred other terms for literal fishing nets. The word is absent from priestly ritual contexts, focusing instead on threats, hunting, or schemes.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָרַשׁ; a net (as catching animals); net(-work).

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

ירשׁ (Yerusha) — to take possession, to inherit, to dispossess, to occupy

Root ירשׁ to take possession, to dispossess, to inherit

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H3388	יְרוּשָׁא	Possessed-one
H3424	יְרֵשָׁה	inherited possession
H4180	מוֹרָשׁ	for inherited-possession-of
H4183	מוֹרַשְׁתִּי	the Moreshethite
H8492	תִּירוֹשׁ	the fresh-pressed grape-juice

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`H7568-05`	רֶ֣שֶׁת	reshet	`HNcfsc`	a net	net of possession	net	6
`H7568-07`	רִשְׁתִּ/י֙	risheti	`HNcfsc/Sp1cs`	my-net	my net	my net	4
`H7568-01`	בְּ/רֶ֣שֶׁת	bereshet	`HR/Ncfsa`	in the net	in a net	in a net	2
`H7568-03`	הָ/רֶ֗שֶׁת	hareshet	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the net	the possessing-net	the net	2
`H7568-04`	מֵ/רֶ֣שֶׁת	mereshet	`HR/Ncfsa`	from the net	net	from net	2
`H7568-06`	רִשְׁתָּ֖/ם	rishetam	`HNcfsc/Sp3mp`	their net	their net	their net	2
`H7568-09`	בְ/רִשְׁתּֽ/וֹ	verisheto	`HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms`	and his net	his ensnaring net	into his net	2
`H7568-02`	הָ/רָ֑שֶׁת	harashet	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the net	the ensnaring net	the net	1
`H7568-08`	וְ/רֶ֖שֶׁת	vereshet	`HC/Ncfsc`	and a net	net of	and net of	1

Occurrences in Scripture

22 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`H7568-05`	Exodus 27:4	רֶ֣שֶׁת	reshet	`HNcfsc`	a net	net of possession	net
`H7568-03`	Exodus 27:4	הָ/רֶ֗שֶׁת	hareshet	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the net	the possessing-net	the net
`H7568-03`	Exodus 27:5	הָ/רֶ֔שֶׁת	hareshet	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the net	the possessing-net	the net
`H7568-05`	Exodus 38:4	רֶ֣שֶׁת	reshet	`HNcfsc`	network	net of possession	net
`H7568-07`	Ezekiel 12:13	רִשְׁתִּ/י֙	risheti	`HNcfsc/Sp1cs`	my-net	my net	my net
`H7568-07`	Ezekiel 17:20	רִשְׁתִּ֔/י	risheti	`HNcfsc/Sp1cs`	my-net	my net	my net
`H7568-06`	Ezekiel 19:8	רִשְׁתָּ֖/ם	rishetam	`HNcfsc/Sp3mp`	their net	their net	their net
`H7568-07`	Ezekiel 32:3	רִשְׁתִּ֔/י	risheti	`HNcfsc/Sp1cs`	my-net	my net	my net
`H7568-08`	Hosea 5:1	וְ/רֶ֖שֶׁת	vereshet	`HC/Ncfsc`	and a net	net of	and net of
`H7568-07`	Hosea 7:12	רִשְׁתִּ֔/י	risheti	`HNcfsc/Sp1cs`	my net	my net	my net
`H7568-01`	Psalms 9:16	בְּ/רֶֽשֶׁת	bereshet	`HR/Ncfsa`	in the net	in a net	in a net
`H7568-09`	Psalms 10:9	בְ/רִשְׁתּֽ/וֹ	verisheto	`HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms`	into his net	his ensnaring net	into his net
`H7568-04`	Psalms 25:15	מֵ/רֶ֣שֶׁת	mereshet	`HR/Ncfsa`	from the net	net	from net
`H7568-04`	Psalms 31:5	מֵ/רֶ֣שֶׁת	mereshet	`HR/Ncfsa`	from the net	net	from the net
`H7568-06`	Psalms 35:7	רִשְׁתָּ֑/ם	rishetam	`HNcfsc/Sp3mp`	their net	their net	their net
`H7568-09`	Psalms 35:8	וְ/רִשְׁתּ֣/וֹ	verisheto	`HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms`	and his net	his ensnaring net	his net
`H7568-05`	Psalms 57:7	רֶ֤שֶׁת	reshet	`HNcfsa`	net	net of possession	net
`H7568-05`	Psalms 140:6	רֶ֭שֶׁת	reshet	`HNcfsa`	a net	net of possession	a net
`H7568-02`	Proverbs 1:17	הָ/רָ֑שֶׁת	harashet	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the net	the ensnaring net	the net
`H7568-05`	Proverbs 29:5	רֶ֝֗שֶׁת	reshet	`HNcfsa`	a net	net of possession	a net
`H7568-01`	Job 18:8	בְּ/רֶ֣שֶׁת	bereshet	`HR/Ncfsa`	into a net	in a net	in a net
`H7568-05`	Lamentations 1:13	רֶ֤שֶׁת	reshet	`HNcfsa`	a net	net of possession	a net

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