perhaps akin to the base of δράκων (through the idea of capturing); to grasp, i.e. (figuratively) entrap:--take.
Transliteration:drássomai
Pronunciation:dras'-som-ahee
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb δράσσομαι (drássomai, `{{G1405}}`) carries the core meaning of "to grasp" or "to seize." The provided definition suggests a potential etymological connection to the base of δράκων (drakōn, `{{G1404}}`), implying a forceful or cunning act of capture, perhaps akin to the predatory grip of a serpent or dragon. Figuratively, its semantic range extends to "to entrap" or "to ensnare," indicating a strategic and often unavoidable capture. The single English rendering provided in the Strong's definition is "take," which, while accurate, does not fully convey the nuance of entrapment inherent in its usage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb δράσσομαι (`{{G1405}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in a profoundly significant passage in Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians:
* **[[1 Corinthians 3:19]]**: "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their own craftiness.'" (ESV)
Here, δράσσομαι is used in the participle form, ὁ δρασσόμενος (ho drassomenos), meaning "the one who catches" or "he who entraps." Paul is quoting from the Old Testament, specifically [[Job 5:13]]. In the context of [[1 Corinthians 3]], Paul is contrasting human wisdom with divine wisdom. He argues that the world's intellectual prowess, when divorced from God, is ultimately futile and foolish in God's sight. God, in His supreme wisdom, uses the very cunning and stratagems of the "wise" to ensnare them, demonstrating His sovereignty and the vanity of human pride. The act of "catching" or "entrapping" is not arbitrary but a just consequence of relying on self-derived wisdom rather than divine revelation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymological suggestion linking δράσσομαι (`{{G1405}}`) to δράκων (`{{G1404}}`) is noteworthy, as δράκων often refers to the serpent/Satan in biblical literature (e.g., [[Revelation 12:9]]). While δράσσομαι itself does not directly refer to the devil, the shared root evokes an image of powerful, perhaps even deceptive, seizure or capture.
Other Greek words that share a semantic field related to "taking" or "seizing" include:
* λαμβάνω (`{{G2983}}`): A very broad term for "to take," "to receive," or "to grasp," which can be neutral or positive. δράσσομαι, by contrast, carries a more specific connotation of forceful or strategic capture.
* πιάζω (`{{G4084}}`): "To seize," "to apprehend," often used in a hostile or forceful manner, such as arresting someone (e.g., [[John 7:30]]).
* ἀγρεύω (`{{G607}}`): "To hunt" or "to catch" (especially animals), implying the use of traps or snares (e.g., [[Mark 12:13]]). This word closely mirrors the "entrapment" aspect of δράσσομαι.
The Old Testament Hebrew word from which δράσσομαι is translated in [[Job 5:13]] is לָכַד (lâkhad, `{{H3920}}`), meaning "to catch," "to seize," "to capture," often used for ensnaring animals or people in a net or trap. This strong Old Testament parallel reinforces the concept of entrapment inherent in δράσσομαι.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of δράσσομαι (`{{G1405}}`) in [[1 Corinthians 3:19]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and His superior wisdom over all human intellect and cunning. The image of God "catching" or "entrapping" the wise in their own craftiness underscores several key theological truths:
1. **Divine Reversal**: God's wisdom often operates contrary to human expectations. What the world esteems as profound wisdom, God declares foolish, and He uses that very "foolishness" (from the world's perspective) to confound the wise.
2. **Judgment on Pride**: The use of δράσσομαι highlights God's judgment upon human pride and self-sufficiency. When humanity relies solely on its own intellectual capacity, rejecting divine revelation, it inevitably falls into its own traps.
3. **Inescapable Sovereignty**: The word implies an inescapable capture. Just as a creature caught in a snare cannot free itself, so too are those who oppose God with their own wisdom ultimately ensnared by His design. This is not a malicious act but a demonstration of God's just and unchallengeable authority.
4. **The Folly of Opposing God**: The passage warns against the futility of attempting to outmaneuver or outwit God. Any scheme or wisdom devised apart from Him is destined to become the very instrument of one's own undoing.
### Summary
The Greek verb δράσσομαι (`{{G1405}}`) denotes "to grasp," "to seize," and, most significantly in its biblical usage, "to entrap" or "to ensnare." Its sole appearance in the New Testament, in [[1 Corinthians 3:19]], is a direct quotation from [[Job 5:13]], where it describes God's action of "catching the wise in their own craftiness." This powerful imagery underscores the theological truth of God's supreme wisdom and sovereignty, demonstrating how human attempts to rely on worldly intellect apart from Him ultimately lead to self-entrapment. The word serves as a potent reminder of the futility of human pride and the inescapable nature of divine judgment and wisdom, which uses the very devices of the "wise" to expose their folly.
TRV