ἁρπαγή (G724) — Greek Lexicon

ἁρπαγή

harpagḗ

G724 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The act of snatching, seizing by force, or violent taking; in abstract, refers primarily to the condition or action of robbery or plundering. Can also refer in some contexts to the spoils or result of such an act, i.e., plunder or that which has been seized by force.

Semantic Range

robbery, plundering, seizure by force, violent taking, extortion, pillaging, spoiling, state/result of being plundered

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἁρπάζω (to seize, snatch, carry off by force), which itself is derived from the root ἁρπ- relating to rapid or violent action. The suffix -ή forms feminine abstract nouns.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἁρπαγή is not common in the classical period, but occurs in later Greek and in Jewish and Christian writings in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. In the Septuagint, it is used to render Hebrew terms denoting robbery, plunder, and acts of violent taking. In the New Testament, it appears once (Matthew 23:25) in the context of denouncing exploitative practices, rendered in some English translations as "extortion" or "greed," though the core sense is the act of seizing or robbing. Standard English translations often opt for 'extortion' or 'robbery,' but may not convey the active, forcible aspect inherent in the term. The word stands in contrast to δικαιοσύνη (justice) or ἐλεημοσύνη (almsgiving), highlighting illegitimate acquisition. It is closely related to ἁρπακτής (robber, one who seizes) and ἁρπαγήματα (spoils, things taken by force), but differs as a more abstract or general reference to the act or state of robbery itself.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἁρπάζω; pillage (properly abstract):--extortion, ravening, spoiling.

Root Family

ἁρπαγή (harpagē) — seizing, snatching, plundering, violent taking

Root ἁρπ- to seize, to snatch, to plunder

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G724-02`	ἁρπαγῆς	arpages	`N GEN F SG`	extortion	plunderers	of extortion	2
`G724-01`	ἁρπαγὴν	arpagen	`N ACC F SG`	plundering	violent plundering	violent plundering	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G724-02`	Matthew 23:25	ἁρπαγῆς	arpages	`N GEN F SG`	extortion	plunderers	plunder
`G724-02`	Luke 11:39	ἁρπαγῆς	arpages	`N GEN F SG`	of-extortion	plunderers	of extortion
`G724-01`	Hebrews 10:34	ἁρπαγὴν	arpagen	`N ACC F SG`	plundering	violent plundering	violent plundering

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