ἁρπαγμός

spoil, an object of eager desire, a prize

Definition

ἁρπαγμός (arpagmos) is a noun meaning 'something to be seized or held onto,' often translated as 'a prize,' 'plunder,' or 'something to be grasped at.' In its single New Testament occurrence in Philippians 2:6, it describes the status or privilege that Christ did not consider 'a thing to be grasped.' The word implies a treasure or advantage one might cling to for personal gain. While it can denote literal spoil taken in war, in its biblical context, it carries the sense of a prized possession or a right to be asserted.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Philippians 2:6, where it appears in a profound Christological statement: Christ, 'who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped [ἁρπαγμὸν].' Here, it is used in a negative construction ('οὐχ ἁρπαγμὸν ἡγήσατο') to emphasize that Jesus did not selfishly cling to or exploit his divine status. The usage is entirely theological and describes an attitude of humility and self-emptying.

Etymology

Derived from the verb ἁρπάζω (harpazō, G726), meaning 'to seize, snatch away, or carry off.' The noun form ἁρπαγμός denotes the act of seizing or, more commonly, the thing seized—the booty or prize. Its root conveys a sense of forceful taking or claiming. The meaning developed from the concrete idea of plunder to a more abstract sense of a coveted advantage or privilege one might claim as a right.

Semantic Range

This word is critically important for understanding the doctrine of Christ's incarnation and humility (kenosis). In Philippians 2:6-7, the fact that Christ did not consider equality with God an ἁρπαγμός—a privilege to be clutched—reveals his voluntary self-emptying and servanthood. It underscores that his divine nature was not something he exploited for personal advantage but willingly set aside in obedience. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading of this key passage, highlighting the deliberate choice and profound humility of Jesus.

In the Greco-Roman world, the term could evoke the image of a conqueror seizing spoils or a ruler asserting his rights and privileges. The concept of not grasping such a prize would have been counter-cultural, contrasting sharply with the typical pursuit of honor, status, and power. The Philippians passage presents a radical inversion of cultural values, where true greatness is found in humility and service, not in claiming one's rightful status.

ἁρπάζω (harpazō, G726) — the root verb meaning 'to seize, snatch, carry off.' σκῦλον (skylon) — more common term for 'spoils of war' or 'booty' (not in NT). λεία (leia) — another term for 'booty' or 'plunder' (not in NT).

Word Details

Scripture References