Word Study for G4884 (συναρπάζω)

synarpázō /soon-ar-pad'-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom σύν and ἁρπάζω

Meaningto snatch together, i.e. seize

KJV usagecatch.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of synarpázō — 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 synarpázō, represented by G4884, is defined as "to snatch together, i.e. seize:--catch." It is formed from the words σύν and ἁρπάζω. This term appears 4 times in 4 unique verses in the Bible. It describes a forceful and sudden act of seizing, applied to people, inanimate objects like a ship, and the influence of spiritual forces.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G4884 illustrates different forms of being overpowered. It is used to describe mob action, as when a crowd in Ephesus, filled with confusion G4799, caught Paul's companions and rushed into the theatre Acts 19:29. Similarly, it depicts the seizure of Stephen by his accusers, who caught him and brought him before the council Acts 6:12. The word also portrays the overwhelming force of a demonic power, where an unclean spirit had often caught a man, rendering him uncontrollable Luke 8:29. In a non-human context, it describes a ship being caught by a storm, unable to hold its course against the wind Acts 27:15.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context and consequences of being seized by G4884:

G2186 ephístēmi (assault, come... upon): This word often precedes the act of seizing. In the account of Stephen, his accusers first came upon him before they caught him Acts 6:12.
G3729 hormáō (run (violently), rush): This term describes the chaotic action that can follow a seizure. After the crowd had caught Paul's companions, they rushed with one accord into the theatre Acts 19:29.
G1643 elaúnō (carry, drive, row): This verb shows the power that propels a subject after it has been caught. The man seized by the unclean spirit was driven by the devil into the wilderness Luke 8:29.

Theological Significance

The thematic weight of G4884 centers on the concept of being suddenly and completely overpowered by an external force, leading to a loss of control.

Seizure by Human Conflict: The word is used to depict moments of public disorder and persecution. It highlights the vulnerability of individuals like Stephen and Paul's companions when confronted by an agitated mob, where they are physically caught and their freedom is removed (Acts 6:12, Acts 19:29).
Subjection to Spiritual Powers: In a spiritual context, G4884 illustrates the profound influence of demonic forces. The man possessed by an unclean G169 spirit was repeatedly caught, demonstrating a state of being helplessly subjected to a hostile spiritual power that could override human will and physical restraints Luke 8:29.
Overcome by Natural Forces: The term extends to the natural world, showing how human endeavors can be overwhelmed. A ship caught by the wind is rendered helpless, forced to submit to the power of the storm rather than the will of its crew Acts 27:15.

Summary

In summary, G4884 synarpázō is a potent word that, while used only four times, consistently conveys the idea of being forcefully seized. It is more than a simple "catch"; it signifies a sudden and complete loss of control to an external agent. From the chaotic actions of a riotous crowd Acts 19:29 to the overpowering influence of a demonic spirit Luke 8:29 and the uncontrollable force of a storm at sea Acts 27:15, the word illustrates a state of helplessness. It effectively portrays the vulnerability of individuals and even objects when confronted by overwhelming human, spiritual, or natural power.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Aorist Passive Participle Genitive Singular Neuter 1×
Pluperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Pluperfect: An act completed before some past moment — "had done".
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

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

Appears in 4 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (3 verses); never once in the other 25.

Luke

Acts

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, 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.