"a snare, trap, Lk. 21:35; met. device, wile, 1 Tim. 3:7; 6:9; 2 Tim. 2:26; met. a trap of ruin, Rom. 11:9*"
Definition and meaning
a snare, trap, Lk. 21:35; met. device, wile, 1 Tim. 3:7; 6:9; 2 Tim. 2:26; met. a trap of ruin, Rom. 11:9*
In the original Greek the word is written: παγίς
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of pagis (G3803) across the King James Bible.
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
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Common questions
Strong's G3803 (pagis) is a Greek word that means: a snare, trap, Lk. 21:35; met. device, wile, 1 Tim. 3:7; 6:9; 2 Tim. 2:26; met. a trap of ruin, Rom. 11:9* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word pagis (G3803) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3803 is pagis, a Greek word defined as: a snare, trap, Lk. 21:35; met. device, wile, 1 Tim. 3:7; 6:9; 2 Tim. 2:26; met. a trap of ruin, Rom. 11:9*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pagis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.