δράσσομαι (G1405) — Greek Lexicon

δράσσομαι

drássomai

G1405 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To take or grasp something firmly with the hand; to seize. In some contexts, used metaphorically to indicate taking hold of or ensnaring, particularly in reference to capturing or entrapping (either literally, as with prey, or figuratively, as in catching a person by surprise or unawares).

Semantic Range

to take hold of, to grasp with the hand, to seize, to capture, to entrap (literally or figuratively), to take control of

Root / Etymology

The etymology is uncertain, but it may be related to the root δρακ- (as in δράκων, “dragon” or “serpent”), which denotes the idea of grasping or seizing. Possibly formed from the same Proto-Indo-European root as δράκων, meaning 'to see clearly, to grasp (with the sight, then with the hand)'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

δράσσομαι is a rare, primarily Hellenistic and Koine Greek verb, with very limited attestation in classical sources. It appears in the New Testament in contexts involving the taking or grasping of something (e.g., Acts 8:23, where it appears in reference to being in a bond or snare). In the Septuagint and other ancient Greek literature, its cognates tend to refer to grabbing, seizing, or ensnaring, sometimes used for taking something by force or skill, and sometimes in a sense more neutral (simply 'to take' or 'to grasp'). The standard English translation as 'take' or 'entrap' may obscure the concrete sense of manual gripping at the root of the word. There is no distinct distinction in usage between δράσσομαι and the more common λαμβάνω ('to take, receive'), except that δράσσομαι stresses grasping or seizing often with a sense of capture or containment. It is contrasted with verbs for gentle handling or voluntary receiving. The word fell out of common usage outside of specialized or metaphorical contexts and does not carry the later sense of 'taking by legal right.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

perhaps akin to the base of δράκων (through the idea of capturing); to grasp, i.e. (figuratively) entrap:--take.

Root Family

δρακ- (drákōn) — to see, to glare, to watch

Root δρακ- to grasp, to seize, to take firmly

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G1404	δράκων	the monstrous serpent

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1405-01`	δρασσόμενος	drassomenos	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG`	catching	seizing for himself	the	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1405-01`	1 Corinthians 3:19	δρασσόμενος	drassomenos	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG`	catching	seizing for himself	the

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