In biblical terms, "entrap" refers to the act of ensnaring or capturing someone, often through deceit or cunning. This concept is frequently associated with the actions of those who seek to undermine or challenge the righteous, as well as the tactics of the adversary, Satan, who is described as a deceiver and accuser.

Old Testament Context

The idea of entrapment is evident in various narratives throughout the Old Testament. One notable example is found in the account of Daniel. Daniel's adversaries sought to entrap him by manipulating King Darius into signing a decree that would ultimately lead to Daniel's punishment for his unwavering devotion to God. As recorded in Daniel 6:7, "All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce a decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den." This plot was designed to entrap Daniel, yet God delivered him from the lions' den, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Pharisees and other religious leaders frequently attempted to entrap Jesus with questions and scenarios designed to discredit Him or find grounds for accusation. One such instance is found in Matthew 22:15-18 : "Then the Pharisees went out and plotted to trap Jesus in His words. They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance. So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?' But Jesus knew their evil intent and said, 'You hypocrites, why are you testing Me?'" Here, Jesus skillfully navigates their trap by responding with wisdom that exposes their hypocrisy and affirms His divine authority.

Spiritual Implications

The concept of entrapment also carries significant spiritual implications. Believers are warned to be vigilant against the schemes of the devil, who seeks to entrap them in sin and lead them away from God's truth. In 1 Peter 5:8 , Christians are admonished: "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This verse underscores the need for spiritual discernment and reliance on God's strength to avoid falling into the snares of the enemy.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

From a moral and ethical standpoint, the act of entrapment is condemned as it involves deceit and manipulation, which are contrary to the character of God and the teachings of Scripture. Proverbs 26:27 states, "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him." This proverb highlights the principle that those who seek to entrap others often find themselves ensnared by their own schemes.

In summary, the biblical concept of entrapment serves as a warning against deceitful practices and a reminder of the need for integrity and reliance on God's wisdom and protection.(v. t.) To catch in a trap; to ensnare; hence, to catch, as in a trap, by artifices; to involve in difficulties or distresses; to catch or involve in contradictions; as, to be entrapped by the devices of evil men.1405. drassomai -- to grasp, fig. entrap
... entrap. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: drassomai Phonetic Spelling:
(dras'-som-ahee) Short Definition: I take hold of, grasp Definition: I take hold ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1405.htm - 6k

1748. enedreuo -- to lie in wait for, to plot
... to plot. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: enedreuo Phonetic Spelling:
(en-ed-ryoo'-o) Short Definition: I lie in wait for, seek to entrap, defraud, deceive ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1748.htm - 6k

64. agreuo -- to catch, take by hunting
... Word Origin from agra Definition to catch, take by hunting NASB Word Usage trap
(1). entrap, catch. From agra; to hunt, ie (figuratively) to entrap -- catch. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/64.htm - 6k

3802. pagideuo -- to set a trap
... to set a trap. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pagideuo Phonetic Spelling:
(pag-id-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I ensnare, entrap Definition: I ensnare ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3802.htm - 6k

4624. skandalizo -- to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to ...
... to cause to stumble. From skandalon; to entrap, ie Trip up (figuratively, stumble
(transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure) -- (make to) offend. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4624.htm - 8k

1185. deleazo -- to lure
... allure, beguile, entice. From the base of dolos; to entrap, ie (figuratively) delude --
allure, beguile, entice. see GREEK dolos. (deleazomenos) -- 1 Occurrence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1185.htm - 6k

2340. thereuo -- to hunt
... Verb Transliteration: thereuo Phonetic Spelling: (thay-ryoo'-o) Short Definition:
I hunt, seek to catch Definition: I hunt, seek to catch or entrap; met: I lay ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2340.htm - 6k

6380. Pokereth Hatstsebayim -- "bindress of the gazelles," head of ...
... From the active participle (of the same form as the first word) feminine of an unused
root (meaning to entrap) and plural of tsbiy; trap of gazelles; Pokereth ...
/hebrew/6380.htm - 6k

5367. naqash -- to knock, strike, hit, strike or bring down
... catch lay a snare. A primitive root; to entrap (with a noose), literally or
figuratively -- catch (lay a) snare. 5366, 5367. naqash. 5368 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/5367.htm - 6k

B. The Question as to Authority. Ch. 20:1-8
... With this in view they sent a deputation from their chief court, the sanhedrin,
to entrap Jesus in his talk or to bring him into conflict with the Jewish or ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the question as to.htm

Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
... To play detective and entrap a rogue in his speech and thus become a man-hunter
is debasing enough; but to seek thus to entrap a righteous man is simply ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cix jewish rulers seek to.htm

The Teacher with Authority
... divide the inheritance with him, or a group of Pharisees seeking to undermine his
power by attributing his cures to the devil, or trying to entrap him by a ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/ii the teacher with authority.htm

Preface.
... last stage of life how numerous and great are the difficulties that she must encounter,
the dangers to which she will be exposed, and the snares to entrap her! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/preface.htm

Of Detraction.
... it; showing the whole contexture of the sin, how tis woven with threads of different
sizes, yet the least of them strong enough to noose and entrap us. ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section iv of detraction.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by James and Jude.
... of our race knows how to adapt his baits to the peculiar form in which inbred sin
is strongest in each individual, and thus, if possible, to entrap and destroy ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter x entire sanctification as.htm

Prayer and vigilance
... It is a battle, moreover, waged against invisible foes, who are ever alert, and
ever seeking to entrap, deceive, and ruin the souls of men. ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xi prayer and vigilance.htm

Discouragement
... The allegory declared that once upon a time Satan, who desired to entrap a devoted
Christian worker, allied a council of his helpers to decide on the best way ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 13 discouragement.htm

The Adventures of Saint Andrew of Scotland.
... difficulty in escaping. Although conquered by the power of his arms, they
still appeared with fresh tricks to entrap him. When, at ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter eight the adventures of.htm

Another Portrait Gallery
... Sometimes the enemy will entrap a young Christian when there is illness in the home,
and under pressure he will fly to magic incantations and heathen practices ...
/.../chapter xxi another portrait gallery.htm

Entrap (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Entrap (5 Occurrences). Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees
went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk. (WEB WEY). ...
/e/entrap.htm - 8k

Trap (35 Occurrences)
... 13. (vt) Fig.: To ensnare; to take by stratagem; to entrap. 14. ... Matthew 22:15 Then
the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk. ...
/t/trap.htm - 19k

Conversation (30 Occurrences)
... Conversation (30 Occurrences). Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and consulted
together how they might entrap Him in His conversation. (WEY). ...
/c/conversation.htm - 19k

Entrances (6 Occurrences)

/e/entrances.htm - 8k

Talk (164 Occurrences)
... you. (BBE). Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they
might entrap him in his talk. (WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV). Matthew ...
/t/talk.htm - 36k

Noose (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A running knot, or loop, which binds the closer the more it is drawn. 2.
(vt) To tie in a noose; to catch in a noose; to entrap; to ensnare. ...
/n/noose.htm - 7k

Laid (552 Occurrences)
... them. (ASV YLT). Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and took counsel
how they might entrap him in his talk. (See NIV). Matthew ...
/l/laid.htm - 35k

Influence (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:18 For, while they pour out their frivolous and arrogant talk, they use
earthly cravings--every kind of immorality--as a bait to entrap men who are ...
/i/influence.htm - 11k

Frivolous (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:18 For, while they pour out their frivolous and arrogant talk, they use
earthly cravings--every kind of immorality--as a bait to entrap men who are ...
/f/frivolous.htm - 7k

Ensnare (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To catch in a snare; to entrap. Multi-Version
Concordance Ensnare (15 Occurrences). Matthew 22:15 ...
/e/ensnare.htm - 10k

What should we learn from the account of Daniel in the lions' den? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus refer to the Pharisees as a “child of hell” in Matthew 23:15? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about stoning? | GotQuestions.org

Entrap: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus