Strong's Lexicon harpax: Rapacious, ravenous, extortioner, robber Original Word: ἅρπαξ Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ἁρπάζω (harpazō), meaning "to seize" or "to snatch." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "harpax," similar concepts can be found in words like חָמָס (chamas, Strong's H2555), meaning violence or wrong, and גָּזַל (gazal, Strong's H1497), meaning to tear away or seize. Usage: The term "harpax" is used in the New Testament to describe individuals who are greedy, grasping, or who take by force. It conveys the idea of someone who is not only eager to possess more than they have but is willing to do so through unjust or violent means. This word is often used to characterize those who exploit others for personal gain. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of "harpax" would have been understood in the context of social and economic practices where power and wealth were often accumulated through force or manipulation. The term would have been particularly relevant in a society where social stratification was pronounced, and the wealthy and powerful often exploited the poor and vulnerable. The New Testament usage reflects a moral and ethical critique of such behaviors, aligning with the broader biblical condemnation of greed and injustice. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 727 hárpaks – properly, seizing; a sudden snatching (like in a robbery). See 726 (harpazō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom harpazó Definition rapacious NASB Translation ravenous (1), swindler (1), swindlers (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 727: ἅρπαξἅρπαξ, ἁρπαγος, ὁ, adjective, rapacious, ravenous: Matthew 7:15; Luke 18:11; as a substantive, a robber, an extortioner: 1 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 6:10. (In both uses from (Aristophanes), Xenophon down.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ravenousFrom harpazo; rapacious -- extortion, ravening. see GREEK harpazo Forms and Transliterations αρπαγες άρπαγες ἅρπαγες αρπαξ άρπαξ ἅρπαξ αρπαξιν άρπαξιν ἅρπαξιν arpages arpax arpaxin harpages hárpages harpax hárpax harpaxin hárpaxinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 7:15 Adj-NMPGRK: εἰσιν λύκοι ἅρπαγες NAS: but inwardly are ravenous wolves. KJV: inwardly they are ravening wolves. INT: they are wolves ravenous Luke 18:11 Adj-NMP 1 Corinthians 5:10 Adj-DMP 1 Corinthians 5:11 Adj-NMS 1 Corinthians 6:10 Adj-NMP Strong's Greek 727 |
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