Hunt

The tools of the hunter include bows and arrows (Genesis 21:20; Genesis 27:3 ), nets (Job 18:8; Ezekiel 12:13 ), snares or pitfalls (Job 18:8 ), if the term does not refer to part of the net (NAS, NIV, REB); traps, snares, ropes (Job 18:9-10 ). Terror, the pit, and the trap of Isaiah 24:17-18 (also Jeremiah 48:43-44 ) perhaps allude to the Battue method of hunting whereby a group forms a cordon and beats over the earth, driving game into a confined area, pit, or net. Ancient Egyptian carvings depict such methods of hunting.

Hunting for pleasure was a popular pastime of ancient kings. The hunt is a popular motif in the art of the Assyrians, Egyptians, and Phoniceans. The Assyrian reliefs depicting Ashurbanipal's lion hunt are particularly well known. The Old Testament does not mention hunting as a pastime of the kings of Israel or Judah. Josephus did note Herod's love of the hunt.

Most often the hunt is used figuratively. A rare positive image is Jeremiah's picture of God's hunting the scattered exiles to return them to Israel (Jeremiah 16:16 ). Saul hunted David (1 Samuel 24:11 ). Matthew described the Pharisees' plotting “to entrap” Jesus (Matthew 22:15 ), Luke their “lying in wait” for Him (Luke 11:54 ). The Pastorals speak of the devil's snare (1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26 ). Ezekiel 13:17-23 pictures women practicing magical arts as fowlers ensnaring the people. In Micah 7:2 the unfaithful are portrayed as hunting each other with nets. The warning of Proverbs 6:5 is to save oneself (from evil) like the gazelle or roe flees the hunter.

Chris Church