δράσσομαι (drassomai)
drassomai
to catch
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb drassomai means to seize or grasp with the hand. It describes a physical act of catching or taking hold of something, conveying a sense of immediate and firm contact. The word is rare in the New Testament, appearing only once in I Corinthians 3:19.
In that specific instance, Paul quotes Psalm 94:11 to illustrate human wisdom as futile before God. He uses drassomai to describe how God catches or seizes the wise in their own craftiness. This usage highlights a divine intervention where human intellect is physically restrained by a higher power.
Lexical sources suggest a possible connection to the root of G1404, implying an action centered on capturing. While the exact etymology remains uncertain, the core meaning consistently points to the act of laying hold of an object or person with the hand, emphasizing control and possession rather than mere observation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word drassomai describes a sudden, physical act of seizing or catching hold of something. It appears only once in the New Testament, where Paul uses it to describe how God catches the wise in their own craftiness. This image reminds us that human cleverness cannot outmaneuver divine wisdom.
When we rely on our own intellect to navigate life’s challenges, we may feel secure in our plans. Yet this verse offers a gentle correction: God sees through our strategies and can gently but firmly intervene when our pride leads us astray. It is not about punishment, but about protection from the emptiness of worldly wisdom.
This truth invites humility. Instead of striving to outwit circumstances or others, we can rest in the knowledge that God’s perspective is deeper and more enduring. His intervention is an act of grace, redirecting us toward what truly matters.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- catching1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δρασσόμενος1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.”
The word drassomai here depicts God actively seizing the wise in their own craftiness, illustrating the futility of human intellect apart from divine wisdom.