Brief Overview of ἁρπαγή (G724: harpāgē)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: harpāgē

Root Words:

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• ἁρπάζω (harpázō): The verb from which ἁρπαγή is derived, meaning “to seize” or “to snatch away.”

Primary Meanings:

• Robbery: The term ἁρπαγή generally means “plunder” or “robbery,” referring to the act of seizing goods or property through force or theft.
• Plundering: It can denote the act of taking something by force, often used in the context of warfare or raids.
• Theft: In some contexts, it also implies theft or the unlawful taking of possessions.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἁρπαγή as “plunder” or “robbery,” emphasizing its use in the context of violent or forceful seizure. The lexicon notes that it reflects an act of taking something by force or deceit, often associated with pillaging or looting.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἁρπαγή as “a plundering” or “robbery,” pointing out its application in contexts where goods or possessions are forcibly taken.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary interprets ἁρπαγή as “plunder” or “robbery,” highlighting its connotation of forcibly taking something from others.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon also defines ἁρπαγή as “plunder” or “robbery,” focusing on its use in classical Greek to describe acts of seizing property.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἁρπαγή as “robbery” or “plunder,” used in contexts of taking by force.

Bible Verses:

• Philippians 2:6 (KJV): “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.”
• Here, ἁρπαγή is used to describe something not to be seized or taken by force, referring to Christ’s equality with God.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

In classic Greek literature, ἁρπαγή is used to describe acts of taking or seizing:

• Herodotus’ Histories (circa 5th century BC): Mentions plundering and the seizure of goods in the context of warfare and conquest.
• Xenophon’s Anabasis (circa 4th century BC): Includes references to looting and the taking of possessions by force during military campaigns.
• Aristotle’s Rhetoric (circa 4th century BC): Discusses the concept of seizure or robbery in the context of legal and moral arguments.

4. Summary:

ἁρπαγή (G724: harpāgē) refers to “plunder” or “robbery,” highlighting the act of forcibly seizing or taking property. BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, and LSJ all confirm its use in describing acts of theft or plundering. Classic Greek literature provides examples of its application in contexts of warfare and looting. The term reflects both its literal sense of taking by force and its metaphorical use in legal and moral discussions.