ἁρπάζω
harpázō
G726 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To seize or snatch away, typically with force or suddenness; to carry off rapidly. The term denotes the act of taking possession of someone or something quickly, often by force or without consent. Contextually, it can refer to acts such as capturing, plundering, kidnapping, or being overtaken by something (such as emotions or fate). In metaphorical use, it may mean to overpower, claim, or carry off for oneself.
Semantic Range
to snatch away suddenly, to seize by force, to plunder, to steal, to kidnap, to rescue by force, to claim or carry away forcibly (persons or things), to be carried off by emotion or fate
Root / Etymology
From the root ἁρπ-, related to αἱρέω ('to take' or 'to choose') but distinct in sense, emphasizing violence or suddenness. May be related to the same root as ἁρπαγή ('robbery, plundering').
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἁρπάζω appears in classical Greek literature with the sense of seizing, snatching, or carrying off, often with a sense of violence or abruptness (e.g., Homer, Herodotus). In Hellenistic and Koine periods, the meaning remains largely consistent, with legal and narrative uses tied to robbery, kidnapping, snatching away from danger, or forceful taking. In the New Testament, ἁρπάζω frequently appears in contexts implying divine action (e.g., persons being 'caught up' or events happening with sudden intervention) as well as hostile actions (e.g., wolves 'snatching' sheep). English versions sometimes use varied renderings such as 'pluck,' 'catch away,' or 'take by force,' but these can obscure the consistent nuance of forceful or sudden action. The semantic field overlaps partially with αἱρέω but is distinct by its emphasis on suddenness, violence, and lack of consent. Related nouns (ἁρπαγή, ἁρπακτής) share root imagery of robbery or predation. The semantic range in the Septuagint also includes 'to rescue by force' or 'to deliver.''
Translation Consistency
Harpázō overwhelmingly conveys a sudden, forceful taking—snatching—whether of people or things (kidnap, plunder, rescue, being carried off). “Snatch” is natural, vivid, and covers the primary semantic range (snatch away, snatch up) better than more formal alternatives like “seize.”
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of αἱρέομαι; to seize (in various applications):--catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).
Root Family
ἁρπάζω (harpazō) — to seize, to snatch, to carry off by force
Word Forms
11 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G726-06 |
ἁρπάζειν | arpazein | V PRS ACT INF |
to snatch | to seize by force | to seize by force | 2 |
G726-03 |
ἁρπάσαι | arpasai | V AOR ACT INF |
plunder | to snatch away | to snatch away | 2 |
G726-05 |
ἁρπάζει | arpazei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
snatches | seizes by force | seizes by force | 2 |
G726-08 |
ἁρπάζουσιν | arpazousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
take-by-force | they are snatching away | are snatching it | 1 |
G726-11 |
ἡρπάσθη | erpasthe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
was caught up | was snatched away | was snatched away | 1 |
G726-09 |
ἡρπάγη | erpage | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
he was caught up | was snatched away | was snatched away | 1 |
G726-01 |
ἁρπαγέντα | arpagenta | V AOR PASS PTCP ACC M SG |
caught up | having been seized by force | having been seized by force | 1 |
G726-10 |
ἥρπασεν | erpasen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
snatched away | he seized by force | he seized by force | 1 |
G726-02 |
ἁρπαγησόμεθα | arpagesometha | V FUT PASS IND 1P PL |
will be caught up | we will be snatched away | we will be snatched away | 1 |
G726-07 |
ἁρπάζοντες | arpazontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
snatching | seizing by force | snatching | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
14 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G726-08 |
Matthew 11:12 | ἁρπάζουσιν | arpazousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
take-by-force | they are snatching away | are snatching it |
G726-03 |
Matthew 12:29 | ἁρπάσαι | arpasai | V AOR ACT INF |
plunder | to snatch away | to snatch away |
G726-05 |
Matthew 13:19 | ἁρπάζει | arpazei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
snatches | seizes by force | seizes by force |
G726-06 |
John 6:15 | ἁρπάζειν | arpazein | V PRS ACT INF |
to take by force | to seize by force | to seize by force |
G726-05 |
John 10:12 | ἁρπάζει | arpazei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
snatches | seizes by force | seizes by force |
G726-04 |
John 10:28 | ἁρπάσει | arpasei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
one will snatch | will seize by force | will seize by force |
G726-06 |
John 10:29 | ἁρπάζειν | arpazein | V PRS ACT INF |
to snatch | to seize by force | to seize by force |
G726-10 |
Acts 8:39 | ἥρπασεν | erpasen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
snatched away | he seized by force | he seized by force |
G726-03 |
Acts 23:10 | ἁρπάσαι | arpasai | V AOR ACT INF |
to seize | to snatch away | to snatch away |
G726-01 |
2 Corinthians 12:2 | ἁρπαγέντα | arpagenta | V AOR PASS PTCP ACC M SG |
caught up | having been seized by force | having been seized by force |