Lexical Summary harpazó: To seize, snatch, take away by force Original Word: ἁρπάζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance catch, seize, take by force. From a derivative of haireomai; to seize (in various applications) -- catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force). see GREEK haireomai HELPS Word-studies 726 harpázō – properly, seize by force; snatch up, suddenly and decisively – like someone seizing bounty (spoil, a prize); to take by an open display of force (i.e. not covertly or secretly). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a prim. root harp- Definition to seize, catch up, snatch away NASB Translation carry off (1), caught (4), snatch (2), snatched...away (1), snatches (1), snatches away (1), snatching (1), take...away...by force (1), take...by force (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 726: ἁρπάζωἁρπάζω; future ἁρπάσω (Veitch, under the word; cf. Rutherford, New Phryn., p. 407); 1 aorist ἥρπασα; passive, 1 aorist ἡρπασθην; 2 aorist ἡρπαγην (2 Corinthians 12:2, 4; Wis. 4:11; cf. Winers Grammar, 83 (80); (Buttmann, 54 (47); WH's Appendix, p. 170)); 2 future ἁρπαγήσομαι; ((Latinrapio; Curtius, § 331); from Homer down); to seize, carry off by force: τί (Matthew 12:29 not R G (see διαρπάζω)); John 10:12; to seize on, claim for oneself eagerly: τήν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, Matthew 11:12 (Xenophon, an. 6, 5, 18, etc.); to snatch out or away: τί, Matthew 13:19; τί ἐκ χειρός τίνος, John 10:28f; τινα ἐκ πυρός, proverbial, to rescue from the danger of destruction, Jude 1:23 (Amos 4:11; Zechariah 3:2); τινα, to seize and carry off speedily, John 6:15; Acts 23:10; used of divine power transferring a person marvellously and swiftly from one place to another, to snatch or catch away: Acts 8:39; passive, πρός τόν Θεόν, Revelation 12:5; followed by ἕως with the genitive of place, 2 Corinthians 12:2; εἰς τόν παράδεισον, 2 Corinthians 12:4; εἰς ἀέρα, 1 Thessalonians 4:17. (Compare: διαρπάζω, συναρπάζω.) Topical Lexicon Summary of UsageThe verb translated “catch up,” “snatch,” “take by force,” or “pluck” occurs fourteen times in the Greek New Testament. In every setting the action is sudden, decisive, and beyond the power of the one seized to resist. Whether the context involves hostile aggression, divine rescue, or eschatological transport, the idea is consistently that of swift removal. Hostile Seizure and Theft 1. Matthew 12:29; Acts 23:10; John 6:15; John 10:12 These passages portray violent or predatory acts: a strong man’s goods are “plundered,” a mob threatens to “tear” Paul, the multitude would “take” Jesus by force to crown Him, and the wolf “snatches” sheep. The verb underscores danger that overwhelms human strength. “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.” Satanic opposition is pictured with the same ruthless immediacy. “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.” Here the verb is figurative for aggressive pursuit of the kingdom—an urgent, wholehearted response demanded by Jesus’ preaching. Divine Protection and Security “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand… No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” Twice the verb is negated, stressing the absolute safety of believers in the double grip of the Son and the Father. What men or demons do elsewhere cannot neutralize divine keeping power. 2. Jude 1:23 “Save others, snatching them from the fire.” The same urgent action is now appropriated by believers toward those in peril, reflecting God’s own rescuing impulse. Eschatological Hope: The Catching Up of the Saints 1 Thessalonians 4:17 stands at the center of Christian hope: “After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” The term supplies the biblical basis for the doctrine commonly called “the Rapture.” Paul presents the event as: • Sudden and irresistible—believers are “caught up,” not merely invited. Because the word signals divine initiative, the timing and manner lie wholly in God’s sovereign hands, confirming that the hope rests on His faithfulness, not human effort. Apostolic Visions and Supernatural Transport 1. Acts 8:39 “The Spirit of the Lord suddenly carried Philip away.” After ministry to the Ethiopian eunuch, Philip is bodily relocated, illustrating God’s right to reposition servants instantly for gospel advance. Paul twice uses the term of being “caught up” to the third heaven and to Paradise. The experience was so vivid that Paul could not determine whether it was in or out of the body, indicating that the verb can describe either spiritual rapture or bodily translation. The male Child “was caught up to God and to His throne.” The imagery unites Christ’s ascension with His protected destiny and ultimate rule (“will rule all the nations with an iron scepter”), assuring the persecuted church of His present enthronement and future triumph. Theological Themes 1. Sovereign Power—Only God can prevent hostile seizure (John 10) or enact gracious seizure (1 Thessalonians 4). Historical Reception Early fathers (Irenaeus, Cyprian) viewed the catching up in 1 Thessalonians as literal, bodily translation preceding final judgment. Medieval commentators often subsumed it under general resurrection, but the Reformers restored emphasis on Christ’s appearing and believers’ transformation. In modern conservative theology, the term remains foundational for discussions on the timing of the Rapture, yet all orthodox strands agree on its certainty and on the comfort it provides (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Preach with urgency: the enemy still “snatches” the seed; sowers must pray and explain the word clearly. Conclusion The verb translated “catch up” spans hostile aggression, divine protection, mystical vision, and ultimate hope. Its consistent thread is irresistible power—sometimes destructive, always decisive, and, in God’s hands, gloriously redemptive. Forms and Transliterations αρπαγεντα αρπαγέντα ἁρπαγέντα αρπαγησομεθα αρπαγησόμεθα ἁρπαγησόμεθα αρπαζει αρπάζει ἁρπάζει αρπαζειν αρπάζειν ἁρπάζειν αρπαζοντες αρπάζοντες ἁρπάζοντες αρπαζουσιν αρπάζουσιν ἁρπάζουσιν αρπαζών αρπασαι αρπάσαι ἁρπάσαι αρπάσαντες αρπάσατε αρπασει αρπάσει ἁρπάσει αρπάσεις αρπάση αρπάται αρπώμαι ηρπαγη ηρπάγη ἡρπάγη ήρπαζον ήρπακε ήρπασαν ήρπασε ηρπασεν ήρπασεν ἥρπασεν ηρπασθη ἡρπάσθη ηρπασμένος arpagenta arpagesometha arpagēsometha arpasai arpasei arpazei arpazein arpazontes arpazousin erpage ērpagē erpasen ērpasen erpasthe ērpasthē harpagenta harpagénta harpagesometha harpagesómetha harpagēsometha harpagēsómetha harpasai harpásai harpasei harpásei harpazei harpázei harpazein harpázein harpazontes harpázontes harpazousin harpázousin herpage herpáge hērpagē hērpágē herpasen hērpasen hḗrpasen herpasthe herpásthe hērpasthē hērpásthēLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 11:12 V-PIA-3PGRK: καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν NAS: and violent men take it by force. KJV: take it by force. INT: and [the] violent seize it Matthew 12:29 V-ANA Matthew 13:19 V-PIA-3S John 6:15 V-PNA John 10:12 V-PIA-3S John 10:28 V-FIA-3S John 10:29 V-PNA Acts 8:39 V-AIA-3S Acts 23:10 V-ANA 2 Corinthians 12:2 V-APP-AMS 2 Corinthians 12:4 V-AIP-3S 1 Thessalonians 4:17 V-FIP-1P Jude 1:23 V-PPA-NMP Revelation 12:5 V-AIP-3S Strong's Greek 726 |
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