The mission originates in captivation: ἁλιεύω, πιάζω, σύρω, ἕλκω. (Jn 21:6-11) 103 in either case the implication no. 3 above would have been jeopardized, since one cannot use property belonging to X to make qinyān to seal a contract with X (unless of course the ceremony is simply symbolic). IV. “Catching” and “Delivering” The verb πιάζειν (21:3,10), used instead of αἱρέω, θηρεύω, λαμβάνω, περιλαμβάνω (Lk 5:4), suggests “squeezing” and ideas of that kind48. The fish are to be treated in an unnatural proximity to each other, various species together. Fishermen may catch fish in such a casting-net (vv.3,10); but the fish are still not theirs. The net may break49, rival fishermen may not be far off50, and some fish can gnaw their way out of a net51. Fish in the Lake are ferae naturae, and can be acquired by anyone smart enough to catch them52. But he has not acquired them (as opposed to squeezing them) until he has actually lifted them out of the water. In the vast majority of cases acquisition of movables is by lifting (Hagbāhāh) or drawing (Mešîkāh), or handing over53. Observe the difference between συρεῖν and ἕλκειν54. The former means “dragging along”, which would be adequate, in suitable circumstances, to acquire a slave or a cow. The thing or person may be badly treated, the suggestion somewhat hostile55. It appears here at v. 8: they dragged “the net of the fish”56. Why? They were unable to lift the fish out of water, and were trying to maintain their hold until either they could lift them or they Unwilling victims: LXX Cant 3:15; Rev 19:20; P. Lond. II p. 32876; people: Sir 23:20; Jn 48 7:30; P. Lond. 46,172 (I p. 70). Liddell-Scott-Jones. Dict. πιέζω I, II; sect. III gives very few citations for “lay hold of”. Bauer-Arndt-Gingrich, Lexicon, πιάζω 1,2: “arrest”. Lk 5:6; Mk 1:19. 49 Note Jn 10:8,12,28,29; cf. 11:52 (ἁρπάζω). Mishnah, GiII. 5:8; Bab. Talm., GiII. 60b- 50 61a. Rabbinical learning on the setting of traps and ownership of prey caught but not lifted. Maimonides, Code, XII.II.i, 2-3,5 (trans. Klein, 110-111); Enc. Jud. VI (1971), 1326-1327. B.S. Jackson, Theft in Early Jewish Law (Oxford, 1972), 109 n.2. Plutarch, de Soll. Anim., Mor. 977F (L.C.L., Plutarch, Mor. XII, 430). Note the meta- 51 phorical use of fine fishes’ escape at Lucian, Timo 22 (L.C.L., Lucian II, 350). Prey escape by chance: Ps 124:7. Pāli Dhammapada 13:8, 174. Cf. sheep: Mt 10:6, 15:24. Sifre Dt §305. Maimonides, Code XII.II.i, 2 (trans. Klein, 110). I. Herzog, Main In- 52 stitutions I, 276. The key word is hefqēr (renunciation). Mishnah, Qidd. 1:4; Bab. Talm., B.M. 47a-b; Maimonides, Code XII. I.iii,1, 6; iv,11 53 (trans. Klein, 11-13, 18). Derrett, Law, 6 n. 2. Gen 37:28 provides a pattern. R.C. Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament (London, 91880), §xxi, pp. 72-73. 54 A man is hauled or dragged (συρόμενος), willy nilly: Lucian, de Merc. Cond. 3 (L.C.L., 55 Lucian III, 416). Acts 8:3, 17:6. Of fish: Plutarch, Mor. 977f. (L.C.L. Plutarch, Moralia XII, 431). See last note. 56