קֵ֫נֶץ (qe.nets)
qe.nets
snare
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qenets refers to a snare or net used for trapping animals. It appears only once in the Old Testament, within Job 18:2, where Bildad uses it to describe the traps set by the wicked against the righteous.
Lexical sources note that the precise meaning of this word is somewhat uncertain, though "snare" or "net" is the standard translation. Its solitary occurrence in Job highlights a vivid image of sudden entrapment, fitting the book’s theme of unexpected suffering.
Because it is so rare, qenets does not carry a broad theological range across Scripture. Instead, it serves as a specific metaphor for danger and capture in this one poetic context, illustrating how the text visualizes peril through hunting imagery.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels overwhelming, it is easy to sense that traps are closing in from every side. The word qenets describes a snare or net used for hunting, capturing animals suddenly and without warning. In the book of Job, this imagery appears during a moment of intense debate, where friends speak harshly to a man who is already suffering deeply.
This single occurrence reminds us that our words carry weight. Just as a physical snare can catch an unsuspecting victim, careless or critical speech can entangle those we love. The text invites reflection on how we treat others when they are vulnerable or confused. It calls for gentleness and patience in conversation, recognizing that people may be struggling with burdens we cannot see.
May you find wisdom in your interactions today. Let your words bring comfort rather than confusion, offering grace to those who feel caught in difficult circumstances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- ends1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קִנְצֵ֣י1×
Key Verses
-
Job 18:2
“How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.
Bildad uses the image of a snare to describe how his friends are trapping Job with sharp questions during their debate.