A net is a tool made of ropes or cords tied together to form a mesh (many open squares or holes). People used nets mostly for catching fish.
In Bible times, fishermen often used two kinds of nets. One kind was thrown by hand (Matthew 4:18). The other kind was pulled between boats or dragged through the water (John 21:6).
Nets were also used as a picture of danger or judgment. For example, the Bible says evil people will be caught in their own nets (Ecclesiastes 9:12; Ezekiel 12:13). This means they will be trapped by their own plans.