Word Study for G1405 (δράσσομαι)

drássomai /dras'-som-ahee/ Ask about this word

Rootperhaps akin to the base of δράκων (through the idea of capturing)

Meaningto grasp, i.e. (figuratively) entrap

KJV usagetake.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of drássomai — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word drássomai, represented by G1405, is a term used to mean to grasp or figuratively entrap. It appears 1 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible, signifying a specific act of capture, particularly through cunning means. The base definition suggests an idea of capturing or taking someone.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The singular use of G1405 is found in a quotation within the New Testament that illustrates a key theological principle. In the context of discussing the foolishness of worldly wisdom, the scripture states, "He taketh the wise in their own craftiness" 1 Corinthians 3:19. This highlights the word's meaning not as a simple seizure, but as an act of turning someone's own schemes against them, thereby entrapping them.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words in the immediate context clarify the meaning of G1405:

G4680 sophós: This word for wise identifies those who are the object of God's action in 1 Corinthians 3:19. It is human wisdom that God chooses to confound 1 Corinthians 1:27, revealing it as foolishness.
G3834 panourgía: Defined as (cunning) craftiness or subtilty, this term describes the very tool the "wise" use which becomes their trap. This same word is used to describe the serpent's deception of Eve 2 Corinthians 11:3, highlighting its negative connotation.
G4678 sophía: Meaning wisdom, this word establishes the central theme. The passage contrasts worldly wisdom, which is "foolishness with God" 1 Corinthians 3:19, with the divine wisdom that comes from above James 3:17.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1405 is significant despite its single appearance. It underscores a profound truth about the nature of God's power and human intellect.

Divine Sovereignty: The act of "taking" the wise in their craftiness demonstrates God's ultimate control. Human schemes and worldly wisdom are ultimately subject to His power, as He is able to entrap the clever using their own methods 1 Corinthians 3:19.
The Folly of Worldly Wisdom: The context for G1405 is the declaration that "the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God" 1 Corinthians 3:19. God actively confounds those considered wise by worldly standards 1 Corinthians 1:27.
Consequence of Cunning: The use of "craftiness" G3834 as the mechanism of entrapment shows a moral consequence. The same kind of subtilty used to deceive is what God uses to ensnare, illustrating a form of divine justice.

Summary

In summary, G1405 drássomai provides a vivid and specific picture of divine power. While only used once, its context in 1 Corinthians 3:19 presents a cornerstone of biblical theology: God's sovereignty over human wisdom and schemes. Paired with the concepts of wisdom G4678, the wise G4680, and craftiness G3834, it illustrates how God's power is such that He can turn the very tools of human pride into a mechanism of divine victory.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists one rendering for this word. It is counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the number is how many of them use it. Select it to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it. These are this word’s own inflections, not words built from it — for those, see Related Words.

δρασσόμενος

Related Words

1 entry in Strong’s name this word as its origin. These are its derivatives — a different relationship from the inflected forms above, which are this same word bent by grammar.

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in 1 Corinthians — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.