598. Snares for Birds

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Resheth, “net,” in this passage refers evidently to a net which was used to catch birds in the air. How it differed from other nets we are unable to say, and in what manner it was employed we can only surmise. From the way in which the word is used in Ezekiel 12:13; 17:20; 19:8; 32:313My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there. (Ezekiel 12:13)
20And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me. (Ezekiel 17:20)
8Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit. (Ezekiel 19:8)
3Thus saith the Lord God; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall bring thee up in my net. (Ezekiel 32:3), the resheth is supposed to have been used to throw over animals walking on the earth, as well as to catch the inhabitants of the air. Jennings (in Kitto's Cyclopedia, article “Fowling”) intimates that the only use of this net was that represented in the texts quoted; but from other passages it is clear that the resheth was used also as a snare for the feet. See Job 18:88For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare. (Job 18:8); Psalm 9:15; 31:4; 57:6; 140:515The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. (Psalm 9:15)
4Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. (Psalm 31:4)
6They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. (Psalm 57:6)
5The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah. (Psalm 140:5).