Brief Overview of διαρπάζω (G1283: diarpázō)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διαρπάζω (diarpázō) [dee-ar-PAH-zo]
• Etymology: From the root words διά (G1223: diá) meaning through, by means of and ἁρπάζω (G726: harpázō) meaning to seize, to snatch, to take by force. The compound form intensifies the action, suggesting a thorough or violent seizing.
• Part of Speech: Verb
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• To seize or snatch away: Indicates the act of forcefully taking something, often with a sense of urgency or violence.
• To plunder or ravage: Refers to the act of taking goods by force, commonly used in the context of war or looting.
• To carry off or abduct: Can imply the action of taking someone or something away against their will, often with force.

Further Insights

• Person: Third person
• Number: Singular
• Tense: Present
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative

Further Insights Explained:

• The word διαρπάζω in this form is in the third person singular, present, active, indicative form. This means it can be translated as “he/she/it seizes” or “he/she/it snatches away.” The present tense indicates an ongoing action, the active voice shows that the subject is performing the action, and the indicative mood presents this as a factual statement.

Disclaimer: The morphological details provided above are specific to the word διαρπάζω in its present, active, indicative form. These details may change depending on the context and use within different sentences.

Lexicon Descriptions

BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich):

• διαρπάζω is defined as seizing, snatching, or carrying away by force. The term is often used to describe violent or forceful actions, such as plundering or abducting.
• Scripture References: Acts 23:10

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Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer defines διαρπάζω as meaning to plunder, ravage, or seize. It emphasizes the aggressive nature of the action, often associated with war or acts of violence.
• Scripture References: Acts 23:10

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s describes διαρπάζω as to seize or snatch away by force, highlighting the idea of taking something with aggression or urgency. It is commonly used in contexts where the action is sudden and forceful.
• Scripture References: Acts 23:10

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ defines διαρπάζω as to snatch, seize, or carry off. The term is frequently used in classical literature to describe acts of plunder, abduction, or other violent seizures.
• Scripture References: Acts 23:10

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s defines διαρπάζω as a compound word from διά (G1223: diá) and ἁρπάζω (G726: harpázō), meaning to seize, snatch, or take by force. It is used to describe the action of forcibly taking something, often with a connotation of violence or urgency.
• Scripture References: Acts 23:10

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Homer, Iliad: Homer uses διαρπάζω to describe the act of plundering or seizing goods during warfare, emphasizing the violent and forceful nature of the action.
• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus employs the term to depict the looting and plundering that occurs during military campaigns, highlighting the aggression and speed with which goods are taken.
• Xenophon, Anabasis: Xenophon uses διαρπάζω in the context of soldiers seizing spoils of war, reflecting the chaotic and forceful taking of goods during battles.

Summary

διαρπάζω (G1283: diarpázō) is a Greek verb that primarily means to seize, snatch away, or plunder. Derived from διά (through, by means of) and ἁρπάζω (to seize, to take by force), the term conveys a sense of violent or forceful action, often used in the context of plundering, looting, or abducting. In the New Testament, διαρπάζω is used in Acts 23:10 to describe the forceful action taken to protect Paul from harm, reflecting the urgency and aggression implied by the word. The term also appears frequently in classical Greek literature, where it describes acts of seizing goods or people during warfare or raids. Overall, διαρπάζω highlights the intensity and violence associated with the act of taking something by force, making it a key term in understanding both ancient and biblical contexts of aggression, plunder, and abduction.