727. harpax
Lexicon
harpax: Rapacious, ravenous, extortioner, robber

Original Word: ἅρπαξ
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: harpax
Pronunciation: HAR-pax
Phonetic Spelling: (har'-pax)
Definition: Rapacious, ravenous, extortioner, robber
Meaning: rapacious, ravenous; a robber, an extortioner.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
ravenous

From harpazo; rapacious -- extortion, ravening.

see GREEK harpazo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 727 hárpaks – properly, seizing; a sudden snatching (like in a robbery). See 726 (harpazō).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from harpazó
Definition
rapacious
NASB Translation
ravenous (1), swindler (1), swindlers (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 727: ἅρπαξ

ἅρπαξ, ἁρπαγος, , 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.)

Topical Lexicon
Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ἁρπάζω (harpazo), meaning "to seize" or "to snatch away."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of rapacity or greed in the Hebrew Bible is often conveyed through terms such as בָּצַע (batsa, Strong's Hebrew 1214), which means "to cut off" or "to gain by violence," and גָּזַל (gazal, Strong's Hebrew 1497), meaning "to tear away" or "to seize." These terms similarly describe actions of taking by force or exploiting others, reflecting the moral teachings against such behavior found throughout the Scriptures.

Usage: The word ἅρπαξ appears in the New Testament to describe individuals who are characterized by greed or a predatory nature. It is used both literally and metaphorically to denote those who exploit others for personal gain.

Context: The Greek term ἅρπαξ is used in the New Testament to convey the idea of someone who is aggressively acquisitive, often at the expense of others. This word is found in contexts that highlight moral and ethical teachings, particularly in relation to the behavior of individuals who are in positions of power or influence.

In Matthew 7:15, Jesus warns against false prophets, describing them as "ravenous wolves" (ἅρπαγες λύκοι), indicating their deceptive and destructive nature. Similarly, in Luke 18:11, the Pharisee in the parable thanks God that he is not like other men, including "swindlers" (ἅρπαγες), showcasing the self-righteous attitude that overlooks personal greed.

The Apostle Paul also uses this term in 1 Corinthians 5:10-11 and 6:10, where he lists "greedy" (ἅρπαγες) among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, emphasizing the incompatibility of such behavior with Christian values. In these passages, ἅρπαξ is associated with a broader list of vices, underscoring the moral corruption that greed can engender.

The use of ἅρπαξ in the New Testament serves as a caution against the dangers of unchecked greed and the moral decay it can cause within individuals and communities. It calls believers to a higher standard of integrity and selflessness, in contrast to the destructive tendencies of those who are "rapacious."

Forms and Transliterations
αρπαγες άρπαγες ἅρπαγες αρπαξ άρπαξ ἅρπαξ αρπαξιν άρπαξιν ἅρπαξιν arpages arpax arpaxin harpages hárpages harpax hárpax harpaxin hárpaxin
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 7:15 Adj-NMP
GRK: 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
GRK: τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἅρπαγες ἄδικοι μοιχοί
NAS: other people: swindlers, unjust,
KJV: men [are], extortioners, unjust,
INT: of the men swindlers unrighteous adulterers

1 Corinthians 5:10 Adj-DMP
GRK: πλεονέκταις καὶ ἅρπαξιν ἢ εἰδωλολάτραις
NAS: with the covetous and swindlers, or
KJV: or extortioners, or
INT: covetous and swindlers or idolaters

1 Corinthians 5:11 Adj-NMS
GRK: μέθυσος ἢ ἅρπαξ τῷ τοιούτῳ
NAS: or a swindler-- not even
KJV: or an extortioner; with such an one
INT: a drunkard or swindler with such a one

1 Corinthians 6:10 Adj-NMP
GRK: λοίδοροι οὐχ ἅρπαγες βασιλείαν θεοῦ
NAS: nor swindlers, will inherit
KJV: nor extortioners, shall inherit
INT: slanderers nor swindlers [the] kingdom of God

Strong's Greek 727
5 Occurrences


ἅρπαγες — 3 Occ.
ἅρπαξ — 1 Occ.
ἅρπαξιν — 1 Occ.















726
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