συναρπάζω (sunarpazō)
sunarpazō
to seize
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sunarpazō describes a sudden, violent seizure where one party overpowers another and carries them away. It appears in only four New Testament verses, primarily within Luke’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. The word conveys more than simple capture; it implies a forceful taking that strips the victim of their autonomy, leaving them no longer in control of their own fate.
In Acts 27:15, sailors are caught by a violent storm and "carried away," illustrating this loss of agency against natural forces. Conversely, Luke 8:29 uses it to describe demons seizing a man, while Acts 6:12 and 19:29 depict crowds violently grabbing individuals. In these human contexts, the word highlights aggressive hostility and physical domination.
The term combines a prefix meaning "with" or "together" with a root for snatching or plundering. This etymology reinforces the image of an overwhelming grip. Translators typically render it as "seized," "carried away," or "dragged," depending on whether the context involves natural disasters or human violence. The consistent thread is the abruptness and force of the action.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sunarpazō describes a sudden, forceful seizure that strips away control. In the New Testament, it appears in only four verses, painting a vivid picture of powerlessness. Whether it is a demon overpowering a man, a mob dragging someone to trial, or a ship caught in a violent storm, the imagery is consistent: an external force takes hold with such intensity that resistance becomes impossible.
For your faith life, this word offers a profound comfort. It reminds us that there are forces in this world—chaos, hostility, and spiritual opposition—that can overwhelm our own strength. We do not have to rely on our ability to hold everything together. When the winds of circumstance or the pressures of conflict feel too strong, we are invited to rest in the One who holds all things securely.
In Luke 8:29, Jesus encounters a man whom the unclean spirit had seized. The text notes that chains could not keep him bound because the demon’s grip was stronger. Yet, Jesus speaks one word, and the power is broken. This shows that no seizure is too violent for God’s authority to reverse. You are never beyond the reach of His peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they seized1×
- it had seized1×
- having dragged off1×
- When was being seized1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συνήρπασαν1×
- συνηρπάκει1×
- συναρπάσαντες1×
- συναρπασθέντος1×
Key Verses
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Luke 8:29
For Jesus was commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For the unclean spirit had often seized the man. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and fetters. Breaking the bonds apart, he was driven by the demon into the desert.
This verse highlights the word's use for spiritual oppression, showing a demon's grip was stronger than physical chains until Jesus intervened.
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Acts 27:15
When the ship was caught and couldn’t face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.
Here the term describes being carried away by a storm, illustrating total loss of agency against natural forces rather than human malice.
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Acts 6:12
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,
This occurrence shows the word applied to legal persecution, where opponents seized Paul to bring him before the council.