יָקוֹשׁ
𐤉𐤒𐤅𐤔
yâqôwsh
H3352 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
One who sets snares or traps, particularly for birds; a snarer or trapper. The term most commonly refers to a person skilled in crafting and laying traps to capture birds for food, trade, or ceremonial purposes. In some texts, the term can be used in a metaphorical sense for an adversary or agent seeking to entrap others.
Semantic Range
one who lays snares, bird-catcher, fowler, trapper; figuratively, an entrapper or one who schemes against others
Root / Etymology
From the root יקש (to lay a snare, to trap, to ensnare); יָקוֹשׁ is a denominative noun form, signifying 'one who snares' or 'fowler.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, יָקוֹשׁ occurs rarely and is used with reference to individuals specializing in trapping birds, which was a recognized role in ancient agricultural and urban societies of Israel and the broader Levant. Figuratively, the word extends to describe anyone who lays traps or seeks to ensnare others through plot or cunning, as seen in wisdom literature and prophetic materials. English translations commonly use 'fowler' or 'snarer'; however, 'fowler' specifically evokes bird trapping, while the Hebrew can be somewhat broader, encompassing various forms of entrapment. The metaphorical use aligns with motifs of danger and cunning opposition in Israelite literature, and differs from related terms such as צַיִד (hunter), which denotes general hunting activity often with weapons, not specifically snaring. The term is predominantly attested in post-patriarchal, monarchic, and some later biblical texts, reflecting continuity in occupational roles and metaphorical language.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יָקֹשׁ; properly, entangling; hence, a snarer; fowler.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יקש (y-q-sh) — to ensnare, to lay a trap, to entangle
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3353 | יָקוּשׁ | snarer |
| H3369 | יָקֹשׁ | you were ensnared |
| H3370 | יׇקְשָׁן | and Yoqshan |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3352-01 |
יָקוֹשׁ֙ | yaqosh | HNcmsa |
of a fowler | snare-setter | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3352-01 |
Hosea 9:8 | יָקוֹשׁ֙ | yaqosh | HNcmsa |
of a fowler | snare-setter |