לָכַד

From the study of Proverbs 11:6

Range of meaning

To catch or capture: animals in nets and snares, cities in war (Josh 10:1), a guilty party picked out by lot (Josh 7:16–18). The passive form (Niphal, used here) means 'be caught, be taken.'

Against the English

BSB/WEB/NIV 'trapped' keep the hunting picture. KJV 'taken' and YLT 'captured' are accurate but slightly flatter. ESV 'taken captive' leans toward the war sense.

Used elsewhere in the period

Proverbs 5:22 uses the same verb and idea: 'his own iniquities will capture the wicked, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.' Ecclesiastes 9:12 compares people to fish and birds caught in a net. Psalm 7:15–16 and 9:15 describe the wicked falling into the pit they dug.

From the study of Proverbs 16:32

Range of meaning

To capture, seize, take: cities in war (Joshua 6:20; 8:19; 10:1 and often), people as prisoners, animals in a trap. Figuratively, being caught or snared by one's own sin (Proverbs 5:22; 11:6).

Against the English

'Taketh/takes a city' (KJV, WEB, YLT), 'captures' (BSB), 'conquer' (NLT): all accurate.

Used elsewhere in the period

The ordinary verb in conquest narratives. Mesopotamian and Assyrian royal inscriptions list the cities a king captured as his chief claim to glory. Within Proverbs, 21:22 says 'a wise man scales the city of the mighty', another reversal of military values.

From the study of 2 Kings 17:6

Range of meaning

To seize or capture: a city after siege, animals in a trap or net, a person taken by lot (Josh 7:14–18), or an enemy caught in an ambush.

Against the English

KJV 'took' and BSB 'captured' are both sound. The verb is plain military language and makes no comment of its own.

Used elsewhere in the period

The ordinary verb for taking cities in Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings (e.g., 2 Sam 12:26–29; 2 Kgs 18:10). The parallel in 18:10 uses the same verb in the plural ('they captured it'), which may hint that the city fell to the Assyrian army without naming a king.