Greek word · G3803

παγίς

pagis

trap

A trap or snare, especially a bird-trap: a net or noose that closes suddenly. Used figuratively for any hidden danger that catches people unawares.

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 24, 2026

What it means

παγίς, -ίδος, ή

(πήγνυμι), [in LXX for פַּח, מוֹקֵשׁ, רֶשֶׁת, etc. ;]

poët. (Aristoph., al.) and late for πάγη, a trap, snare; metaphorically (as also in cl.): Luke 21:35, Romans 11:9" (LXX) 1 Timothy 3:7 6:9, 2 Timothy 2:26.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

Range of meaning: A trap or snare, especially a bird-trap: a net or noose that closes suddenly. Used figuratively for any hidden danger that catches people unawares.
Against the English: KJV, YLT, WEB, NASB 'a snare'. BSB and NLT turn it into a verb, '(become) ensnared' or 'trapped'. That keeps the picture but drops the second noun from the list.
Used elsewhere in the period: Frequent in LXX Psalms and Proverbs: 'the snare of the fowler' (Ps 91:3 [LXX 90:3]); 'the fear of man lays a snare' (Prov 29:25). In the Pastorals it appears as 'the snare of the devil' (1 Tim 3:7; 2 Tim 2:26).

Range of meaning: Trap, snare, net: a hunting device, used figuratively for any sudden, hidden danger or moral trap that captures a person.
Against the English: KJV, BSB, WEB, NASB and ESV have "snare"; NIV and NLT have "trap". Both are accurate. "Snare" keeps the old hunting picture of a noose or net.
Used elsewhere in the period: LXX Sir 9:3: "lest you fall into her snares" (μήποτε ἐμπέσῃς εἰς τὰς παγίδας αὐτῆς), the same verb and noun as here. The image is common in the LXX Psalms and Proverbs. In the Dead Sea Scrolls the Damascus Document (CD 4:12–19) describes "three nets of Belial": sexual immorality, wealth, and defiling the sanctuary. In the NT see 1 Tim 6:9 ("fall into temptation and a snare"), 2 Tim 2:26 ("escape from the snare of the devil, having been captured by him"), Luke 21:35 and Rom 11:9.

Range of meaning: A trap, snare or noose, especially a bird-trap. Figuratively, any sudden, hidden danger or deception that catches a person off guard (BDAG).
Against the English: 'Snare' (KJV, BSB, YLT) and 'trap' (NLT and others) are both accurate. The force is concealment: a snare works because the victim does not see it.
Used elsewhere in the period: Very common in the LXX for hidden dangers and enemies' plots: Ps 91:3 (LXX 90:3) 'the snare of the fowler'; Ps 124:7 (123:7) 'our soul escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare was broken'; idols as a snare to Israel (Exod 23:33; Judg 2:3). In the NT: 1 Tim 3:7 ('the snare of the devil'), 1 Tim 6:9 (the desire to be rich as a snare), Luke 21:35, Rom 11:9.

Luke · 1

Luke 21:35 παγίς· a snare;

For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth.

Romans · 1

Romans 11:9 παγίδα a snare

And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them.

Here: A bird trap: a spring net or noose that snaps shut on prey drawn in by bait. The picture is a table of food working like a baited trap.

1 Timothy · 2

1 Timothy 3:7 παγίδα [the] snare

Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.

Here: A hunter's trap, such as a bird-net or a noose. The picture is of something hidden that catches the unwary and holds them.
1 Timothy 6:9 παγίδα a snare

Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

Here: A hunter's trap for birds or animals. It is hidden and springs shut, and the creature cannot get itself out. The same word appears in 'the snare of the devil' (3:7; 2 Tim 2:26).

2 Timothy · 1

2 Timothy 2:26 παγίδος snare

Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.

Here: A hunter's or fowler's trap: a net or noose that catches its victim by surprise. The same 'snare of the devil' appears in 1 Tim 3:7. It is a picture of deception, not of open force.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.