δράσσομαι
I take hold of, grasp
Definition
δράσσομαι is a verb meaning 'to take hold of,' 'to grasp,' or 'to catch.' In its single New Testament occurrence in 1 Corinthians 3:19, it is used metaphorically, describing God 'catching' or 'taking the wise in their own craftiness.' This reflects the sense of seizing someone, often with a connotation of surprise or entrapment. While the physical action of grasping is its basic meaning, the biblical usage emphasizes a sudden, decisive act of capture or apprehension.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 3:19. It is used in a quotation from Job 5:13 (LXX) within Paul's argument about worldly wisdom versus God's wisdom. The context is theological and rhetorical, employing the verb metaphorically to describe God's action in thwarting human cleverness. There is no pattern of usage across different books or narrative contexts.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek root related to grasping or seizing. It is a middle/passive form of a verb whose active form (δράσσω) also means 'to grasp.' Cognates and related words in Greek often carry the sense of laying hold of something forcefully or suddenly.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, δράσσομαι is theologically significant in 1 Corinthians 3:19. It vividly illustrates God's sovereignty and the futility of human wisdom that opposes Him. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading by highlighting the active, decisive nature of God's intervention—He doesn't merely observe foolishness but 'catches' the wise in their own schemes. This supports the biblical theme that God reverses human estimations of wisdom and strength (1 Corinthians 1:27).
In the ancient Greek world, the verb could be used in contexts of physical combat, hunting, or legal seizure. The metaphor in 1 Corinthians would resonate with an audience familiar with scenes of hunters trapping prey or a victor capturing an opponent. This cultural backdrop of sudden, inescapable capture amplifies the force of Paul's quotation.
κρατέω (krateō, G2902) — to hold fast or seize, often with a sense of strength or control; λαμβάνω (lambanō, G2983) — to take or receive, a more general term for taking hold.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
Full methodology & sources →