θήρα (thēra)
thēra
trap
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun thēra refers to a trap or snare used in hunting, specifically denoting the means by which wild animals are caught. Derived from a root meaning "wild animal" or game, the word captures the image of an entrapment designed to seize prey. In the Septuagint, it translates several Hebrew terms related to hunting nets and the act of capturing, establishing a clear link between the hunter’s tool and the victim’s helplessness.
Its sole New Testament appearance in Romans 11:9 illustrates this danger vividly. Paul quotes Psalm 35:8 to describe how enemies set a snare for the righteous, using thēra to emphasize the sudden and inescapable nature of their opposition. The word does not merely suggest observation but active entrapment, portraying spiritual or physical peril as a net laid out for the unsuspecting.
Translators typically render this term as "snare" or "trap," highlighting its function as a device of capture rather than just the act of hunting itself. This usage underscores the vulnerability of those targeted, framing their experience not as a random event but as the result of deliberate, predatory intent.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word thēra describes a physical trap or snare set for wild animals. In Romans 11:9, Paul uses this term when quoting Psalm 35:8 to describe how enemies target the righteous. It highlights a deliberate attempt to catch someone off guard through hidden dangers.
For your faith, this image reminds us that spiritual vigilance is necessary. We live in a world where opposition can be subtle and sudden. Recognizing these snares helps us stay alert and rely on God’s protection rather than our own strength alone.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a trap1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θήραν1×
Key Verses
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Romans 11:9
David says, “Let their table be made a snare, a trap, a stumbling block, and a retribution to them.
Paul uses thēra here to emphasize the sudden and inescapable nature of the opposition faced by the righteous, quoting Psalm 35:8 to illustrate spiritual peril.