ἁρπάζω (harpazō)
harpazō
to seize
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb harpazō describes an act of seizing or snatching something away with force. It appears fourteen times in the New Testament, often conveying a sudden, decisive action that removes a person or object from its current position. In Matthew 12:29 and 13:19, Jesus uses it to describe stealing or taking hold of what belongs to another, highlighting the aggressive nature of the act.
A key distinction lies in its application to people versus objects. While it can mean to claim something eagerly, it frequently depicts a physical removal. In John 6:15, the crowd attempts to seize Jesus by force, and in Acts 8:39, the Spirit snatches Philip away from the Ethiopian eunuch. This sense of being carried off is central to its most famous usage in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17, where believers are caught up to meet the Lord.
The word’s root suggests a violent or urgent taking, which explains why it is often translated as "snatch" or "carry off." It does not imply a gentle invitation but a powerful intervention. This forceful imagery underscores the sovereignty of God in both judgment and salvation, showing that divine actions are decisive and beyond human resistance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word harpazō describes a sudden, forceful seizure. It is not a gentle invitation but a decisive act of taking hold. In the New Testament, this verb appears in contexts ranging from spiritual theft to divine rescue. Understanding its intensity helps us see that God’s actions are often urgent and powerful, moving beyond human hesitation or weakness.
For your faith, this word offers profound comfort. When Jesus says no one can snatch His sheep from His hand (John 10:29), He uses harpazō to emphasize the absolute security believers have in God’s power. The same force that might be used for harm is shown here as a shield of protection. It reminds us that our safety does not depend on our grip on God, but on His firm hold on us.
This imagery also points to the hope of eternity. In passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:17, believers are caught up to meet the Lord. The urgency of harpazō here reflects the suddenness of Christ’s return and the immediate transition into His presence. It is a promise that our future is secured by divine intervention, not by our own efforts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will seize1×
- we will be caught away1×
- was caught up1×
- to take by force1×
- to seize [them]1×
- to seize1×
- to plunder,1×
- snatching ,1×
- snatches away1×
- snatches1×
- he was caught up1×
- having been caught up1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἁρπάζειν2×
- ἁρπάζει2×
- ἥρπασεν1×
- ἡρπάσθη1×
- ἡρπάγη1×
- ἁρπάσει1×
- ἁρπάσαι,1×
- ἁρπάσαι1×
- ἁρπάζουσιν1×
- ἁρπάζοντες,1×
- ἁρπαγέντα1×
- ἁρπαγησόμεθα1×
Key Verses
-
John 10:29
My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
This verse uses harpazō to affirm that no external force can remove a believer from the Father's protective grip.
-
I Thessalonians 4:17
then 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.
Here the word describes the sudden, powerful gathering of living believers with the resurrected dead at Christ's return.
-
Acts 8:39
When 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.
Philip is snatched away by the Spirit, demonstrating how divine power can instantly relocate a servant for God's purposes.
-
Matthew 13:19
When 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.
Jesus uses this term to describe how the evil one aggressively removes the message of the Kingdom from an unresponsive heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does harpazō mean in the New Testament?
How is harpazō different from other words for taking?
Why is this word important for understanding salvation security?
Where else does harpazō appear in Scripture?
Every Occurrence (14 verses across 7 books)
Matthew 3 verses
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…
Matthew 13:19When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that which…