ἁρπάζω
harpazō
to seize
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἁρπάζω (harpazō) translates to "to seize." This verb has 14 occurrences in the Bible. It is used in context that involves a swift and often forceful action of taking hold of something or someone. The usage of ἁρπάζω ranges from abstract concepts to physical objects. Sometimes it implies a sense of urgency or suddenness, as seen in its use to describe actions such as snatching, carrying off, or taking by force. The significance of ἁρπάζω lies in its association with themes of sudden change, unexpected intervention, or the power exerted by individuals or forces in the Bible. Its usage in various contexts suggests a dynamic and often impactful expression of action.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
14 total occurrences across the text
From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Matthew 12:29Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.
Matthew 13:19When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.
John 6:15Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
John 10:12He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them.
John 10:28I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:29My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
Acts 8:39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 23:10When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
2 Corinthians 12:2I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.
2 Corinthians 12:4how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
1 Thessalonians 4:17then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.
Jude 1:23and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
Revelation 12:5She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne.