Original Word: לָכַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: lakad
Pronunciation: lah-KAHD
Phonetic Spelling: (law-kad')
KJV: X at all, catch (self), be frozen, be holden, stick together, take
NASB: captured, taken, caught, capture, took, take, captures
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to catch (in a net, trap or pit)
2. (generally) to capture or occupy
3. (also) to choose (by lot)
4. (figuratively) to cohere

catch self, be frozen, stick together, take

A primitive root; to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere -- X at all, catch (self), be frozen, be holden, stick together, take.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to capture, seize, take
NASB Translation
capture (9), captured (57), captures (4), captures at all (1), catch (2), caught (12), clasp (1), imprisoned (1), seized (1), take (6), taken (13), taken captive (2), takes (3), took (8).

לָכַד₁₂₁ verb capture, seize, take (by lot) (Phoenician לכד take out, choose (?); ᵑ7 לְכַד as Biblical Hebrew; Arabic is strike, push, with the hand, etc., pestle, compare modern attack Wetzst^{ZMG xxii. 1868, 140}; stick or cleave to); —

Qal Perfect ׳ל Joshua 8:1 +, לָכַדְתִּי 2 Samuel 12:27 etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular יִלְכּוֺד Amos 3:5; וַיִּלְכֹּד Judges 8:12 +, etc.; Imperative masculine singular suffix לָכְדָהּ 2 Samuel 12:28, masculine plural לִכְדוּ; Infinitive absolute לָכוֺד Amos 3:5; construct suffix לְלָכְדֵנִי Jeremiah 18:22, לְלָכְדָהּ Jeremiah 32:24; Participle לֹכֵד Job 5:13; Proverbs 16:32; —

1 capture, seize (not in P) with accusative, usually a city or town, in war Judges 1:8,12; Joshua 8:21; Joshua 10:1 (JE), Deuteronomy 2:35 48t. (but Judges 1:18 strike out as gloss Bu Kit GFM and others); land Joshua 10:42 (D), Daniel 11:18; water-courses (fords), Judges 3:28; Judges 7:24 (twice in verse); Judges 12:8; object men (usually princes, kings) in battle Judges 7:25; Judges 8:12,14; Joshua 11:12,17 (D), 2 Chronicles 22:9; 33:11; captives and spoils 2 Samuel 8:4 = 1 Chronicles 18:4; of Saul's seizing the kingdom (הַמְּלוּכָה), i.e. acquiring it actually by force of arms 1 Samuel 14:47; also of Samson's catching the foxes Judges 15:4; of a lion catching his prey Amos 3:4; of a trap, snare, לָכוֺד יִלְכּוֺד Amos 3:5.

2 figurative of entrapping men Jeremiah 5:26; Psalm 35:8, compare Proverbs 5:22; Job 5:13 and (of a pit) Jeremiah 18:22.

3 of taking by lot Joshua 7:14 (3 t. in verse); Joshua 7:17 (J E; see Niph`al 3).

Niph`al Perfect נִלְכַּד Lamentations 4:20; 3feminine singular נִלְכְּדָה 1 Kings 16:18 +, etc.; Imperfect יִלָּכֵד Isaiah 24:18; Jeremiah 48:44; יִלָּ֫כֶד כָּהּ Ecclesiastes 7:26; וַיִּלָּכֵד Joshua 7:16 +, etc.; Participle נִלְכָּד Joshua 7:15; —

1 be captured in war, of city 1 Kings 16:18; 2 Kings 18:10; Jeremiah 38:28 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 48:1,41; Jeremiah 50:2,9,24; Jeremiah 51:31,41; Zechariah 14:2; of men Jeremiah 51:56; Lamentations 4:20 (compare Qal 1).

2 of men, be caught, namely, in a snare or trap, only figurative, usually by divine judgment Isaiah 8:15; Isaiah 24:18; Isaiah 28:13; Psalm 9:16; Psalm 59:13; Proverbs 6:2; Proverbs 11:6; Jeremiah 6:11; Jeremiah 8:9; so of Moab Jeremiah 48:7,44; of being ensnared by a woman Ecclesiastes 7:26; of being caught by cords of distress, בְּחַבְלֵי עֹ֑נִי, Job 36:8.

3 be taken by lot Joshua 7:15,16,17,18 (all J E), 1 Samuel 10:20,21 (twice in verse); 1 Samuel 14:41,42 (compare Qal 3).

Hithpa`el Imperfect3masculine plural; יִתְלַכְּדוּ וְלֹא יִתְמָּרָ֑דוּ Job 41:9 they grasp each other, and cannot be separated, of crocodile's scales ("" אִישׁ בְּאָחִיהוּ יְדֻבָּ֑קוּ); מְּנֵי תְהוֺם יִתְלַכָּ֑דוּ Job 38:30 the face of the deep compacts (of freezing; "" כָּאֶבֶן מַיִם יִתְחַבָּ֑אוּ; verbs transposed, plausibly, by Me Bi Siegf Bu).

Entry: לָכַד (Strong’s Hebrew 3920)

Principal Sphere of Usage: Warfare and Conquest

The verb overwhelmingly describes the military seizure of cities, peoples, and objects. From Israel’s first victories east of the Jordan—“So Israel captured all these cities” (Numbers 21:25)—to the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon (2 Kings 24:10), לָכַד is the standard narration-word for triumph in battle. Joshua contains the densest cluster: Jericho (Joshua 6:20), Ai (8:7), Hazor (11:10), and a rapid succession of southern and northern Canaanite strongholds (10:28-39; 11:12). In each case, capture is portrayed as the visible fulfillment of the LORD’s promise to “deliver them into your hand” (Joshua 6:2), underscoring that Israel’s victories are acts of divine, not merely human, strategy.

Capture as an Act of Divine Judgment

The same verb recounts God’s judgment against Israel when the covenant is violated. The Ark is “captured” by Philistines (1 Samuel 4:11); Samaria is “captured” by Assyria (2 Kings 17:6); Jerusalem is “captured” first by Nebuchadnezzar’s generals (24:10-11) and finally in Zedekiah’s reign (25:6-7). לָכַד therefore frames both blessing and curse within the covenant structure of Deuteronomy 28, proving the impartiality of God’s justice.

Positive Deliverance for the Covenant People

Conversely, capture can reverse judgment when God restores His people. Chronicles highlights Davidic victories (1 Chronicles 18:1; 20:1) to display God’s ability to reclaim territory. The prophets anticipate the day when Gentile oppressors themselves will be “captured” (Jeremiah 50:24; 50:46) and Zion will be delivered.

Figurative and Personal Applications

Beyond warfare, לָכַד occurs in everyday and moral contexts. A wild animal or bird can be trapped (Psalm 35:8; Isaiah 8:15). Wicked men “capture men” with deceit (Jeremiah 5:26). Passion can ensnare: “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes” (Proverbs 6:25). The verb thus bridges the physical and spiritual realms, warning that hearts, like cities, can be overtaken.

Prophetic and Poetic Nuances

Prophets employ לָכַד to dramatize impending doom:
• “Babylon… will be captured” (Jeremiah 51:31).
• “Nineveh is captured; who can pity her?” (Nahum 3:5, 10).

The imagery often pairs עם “net,” “snare,” or “trap,” reinforcing the inevitability of divine decree (Isaiah 8:15; Ezekiel 19:8). Poetic usage in Psalms spotlights the helpless victim seized by a relentless foe (Psalm 10:9).

Theology of Holy War and Divine Sovereignty

Because לָכַד routinely appears with formulas like “the LORD gave into the hand” (Joshua 10:30), it becomes a literary signature for Yahweh’s kingship. Military success or failure is never accidental; every capture narrates sovereignty. The verb also vindicates prophetic words: what God foretells through Moses and the prophets is historically “captured” in time and space, validating Scripture’s unity.

Christological and Redemptive Foreshadowings

Old Testament captures prefigure the greater deliverance accomplished by Jesus Christ. Just as Jericho’s walls fell without human might, salvation is achieved by divine initiative. Conversely, the Ark’s capture anticipates the apparent “defeat” of the cross: God allows what is holy to be taken so that a greater victory—resurrection—may follow. Moreover, the New Testament echoes the idea of spiritual captivity and liberation (Luke 4:18; 2 Timothy 2:26), providing continuity between the covenants.

Ministerial and Practical Applications

1. Spiritual Warfare: Believers must guard heart-cities against besetting sin lest they be “captured” (Proverbs 6:25; 2 Corinthians 10:5).
2. Evangelism: The Great Commission is a gracious “taking captive” of rebellious minds to Christ (compare לָכַד with “taking every thought captive,” 2 Corinthians 10:5).
3. Counseling: Patterns of addiction mirror the snare imagery; freedom requires divine intervention and community accountability.
4. Preaching: Historical narratives of capture provide vivid illustrations of judgment, mercy, and the reliability of God’s promises.

Representative References

Numbers 21:25; 32:39

Deuteronomy 2:34; 3:4, 8

Joshua 6:20; 8:7; 10:28-39; 11:12

Judges 1:8; 3:28

1 Samuel 4:11; 14:48

2 Samuel 5:7; 12:26

1 Kings 15:29

2 Kings 17:6; 24:10; 25:6

1 Chronicles 18:1; 20:1

Psalm 10:9; 35:8

Proverbs 6:25

Isaiah 8:15

Jeremiah 5:26; 50:24; 51:31

Ezekiel 19:8

Nahum 3:10

Summary

לָכַד weaves through biblical history as the verb of capture, announcing God’s victory, judgment, and eventual redemption. Whether walls crumble, hearts yield, or empires fall, each occurrence testifies that nothing lies outside the LORD’s ability to seize for His holy purposes.

אֶלְכֹּ֤ד אלכד הַנִּלְכָּ֣ד הנלכד וְיִלָּכְד֥וּ וְלִכְד֤וּ וְלָכ֖וֹד וְלָכְדָ֑הּ וְלָכַ֖ד וְלָכַ֣ד וְנִלְכְּדָ֣ה וְנִלְכְּדוּ֙ וְנִלְכָּֽדוּ׃ וַֽ֠יִּלְכְּדוּ וַֽיִּלְכְּד֑וּהָ וַֽיִּלְכְּד֖וּ וַֽיִּלְכְּד֜וּהָ וַֽיִּלְכְּד֞וּ וַֽיִּלְכְּד֡וּ וַֽיִּלְכְּדָ֑הּ וַֽיִּלְכְּדָ֛הּ וַֽיִּלְכְּדָ֞הּ וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽהּ׃ וַֽיִּלְכְּדָהּ֙ וַֽיִּלְכְּדֻ֑הָ וַֽיִּלְכְּדֻ֗הָ וַֽיִּלְכְּדֻ֜הוּ וַיִּלְכְּד֣וּ וַיִּלְכְּד֣וּהָ וַיִּלְכְּד֥וּ וַיִּלְכָּד־ וַיִּלְכֹּ֕ד וַיִּלְכֹּ֖ד וַיִּלְכֹּ֛ד וַיִּלְכֹּ֞ד וַיִּלְכֹּ֣ד וַיִּלְכֹּ֤ד וַיִּלְכֹּ֥ד וַיִּלְכֹּ֨ד וַיִּלְכֹּד֙ וַיִּלְכֹּד֩ וַיִּלָּכֵ֑דוּ וַיִּלָּכֵ֖ד וַיִּלָּכֵ֗ד וַיִּלָּכֵ֧ד וַיִּלָּכֵד֙ וַנִּלְכֹּ֤ד וַתִּלָּכֵ֖ד וּלְכָד֖וּהָ וּלְכָדָ֑הּ וּלְכָדָֽהּ׃ וּלְכָדֻ֖הָ וילכד וילכד־ וילכדה וילכדה׃ וילכדהו וילכדו וילכדוה ולכד ולכדה ולכדה׃ ולכדו ולכדוה ולכוד ונלכד ונלכדה ונלכדו ונלכדו׃ ותלכד יִ֝לָּכְד֗וּן יִ֝תְלַכְּד֗וּ יִלְכְּד֥וּ יִלְכְּדֶ֣נּוּ יִלְכְּדֶ֤נָּה יִלְכְּדֶ֨נּוּ יִלְכְּדֻנ֥וֹ יִלְכֹּֽדוּ׃ יִלְכּֽוֹד׃ יִלָּ֥כֶד יִלָּכֵ֔דוּ יִלָּכֵ֖ד יִלָּכֵֽדוּ׃ יִתְלַכָּֽדוּ׃ ילכד ילכדו ילכדו׃ ילכדון ילכדנה ילכדנו ילכוד׃ יתלכדו יתלכדו׃ לְלָכְדֵ֔נִי לְלָכְדָהּ֒ לָכַ֔ד לָכַ֖ד לָכַ֖דְתִּי לָכַ֤ד לָכַ֥ד לָכַ֧ד לָכַ֨ד לָכָֽדְנוּ׃ לָכָֽד׃ לֹכֵ֣ד לכד לכד׃ לכדנו׃ לכדתי ללכדה ללכדני מִלֹּכֵ֥ד מלכד נִ֝לְכַּ֗דְתָּ נִלְכְּדָ֖ה נִלְכְּדָ֣ה נִלְכְּדָ֥ה נִלְכְּדָ֨ה נִלְכְּדָה֙ נִלְכַּ֖ד נִלְכַּדְתְּ֙ נלכד נלכדה נלכדת תִּלְכְּד֑וֹ תִּלָּכֵ֑ד תִּלָּכֵ֑דִי תלכד תלכדו תלכדי ’el·kōḏ ’elkōḏ elKod han·nil·kāḏ hannilKad hannilkāḏ lā·ḵā·ḏə·nū lā·ḵaḏ lā·ḵāḏ lā·ḵaḏ·tî laChad laChadenu laChadti lāḵaḏ lāḵāḏ lāḵāḏənū lāḵaḏtî lə·lā·ḵə·ḏāh lə·lā·ḵə·ḏê·nî lelacheDah lelacheDeni ləlāḵəḏāh ləlāḵəḏênî lō·ḵêḏ loChed lōḵêḏ mil·lō·ḵêḏ milloChed millōḵêḏ nil·kaḏ nil·kaḏ·tā nil·kaḏt nil·kə·ḏāh nilKad nilkaḏ nilkadT nilkaḏt nilKadta nilkaḏtā nilkeDah nilkəḏāh til·kə·ḏōw til·lā·ḵê·ḏî til·lā·ḵêḏ tilkeDo tilkəḏōw tillaChed tillaChedi tillāḵêḏ tillāḵêḏî ū·lə·ḵā·ḏāh ū·lə·ḵā·ḏu·hā ū·lə·ḵā·ḏū·hā ulechaDah ulechaDuha ūləḵāḏāh ūləḵāḏuhā ūləḵāḏūhā vaiyilkeDah vaiyilkeDu vaiyilkeDuha vaiyilkeDuhu vaiyilKod vaiyillaChed vaiyillaChedu vannilKod vattillaChed velaChad velacheDah velaChod velichDu venilKadu venilkeDah venilkeDu veyillacheDu wan·nil·kōḏ wannilkōḏ wat·til·lā·ḵêḏ wattillāḵêḏ way·yil·kāḏ- way·yil·kə·ḏāh way·yil·kə·ḏū way·yil·kə·ḏu·hā way·yil·kə·ḏū·hā way·yil·kə·ḏu·hū way·yil·kōḏ way·yil·lā·ḵê·ḏū way·yil·lā·ḵêḏ wayyilkāḏ- wayyilkəḏāh wayyilkəḏū wayyilkəḏuhā wayyilkəḏūhā wayyilkəḏuhū wayyilkōḏ wayyillāḵêḏ wayyillāḵêḏū wə·lā·ḵaḏ wə·lā·ḵə·ḏāh wə·lā·ḵō·wḏ wə·liḵ·ḏū wə·nil·kā·ḏū wə·nil·kə·ḏāh wə·nil·kə·ḏū wə·yil·lā·ḵə·ḏū wəlāḵaḏ wəlāḵəḏāh wəlāḵōwḏ wəliḵḏū wənilkāḏū wənilkəḏāh wənilkəḏū wəyillāḵəḏū yil·kə·ḏen·nāh yil·kə·ḏen·nū yil·kə·ḏū yil·kə·ḏu·nōw yil·kō·ḏū yil·kō·wḏ yil·lā·ḵê·ḏū yil·lā·ḵə·ḏūn yil·lā·ḵeḏ yil·lā·ḵêḏ yilkeDennah yilkəḏennāh yilkeDennu yilkəḏennū yilkeDu yilkəḏū yilkeduNo yilkəḏunōw yilKod yilKodu yilkōḏū yilkōwḏ yilLached yillaChedu yillacheDun yillāḵeḏ yillāḵêḏ yillāḵêḏū yillāḵəḏūn yiṯ·lak·kā·ḏū yiṯ·lak·kə·ḏū yitlakKadu yiṯlakkāḏū yitlakkeDu yiṯlakkəḏūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts