πιάζω (G4084) — Greek Lexicon

πιάζω

piázō

G4084 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To seize, grasp, or take hold of with force or intent; in various contexts, to apprehend (as in legal arrest), to take hold physically (by the hand or otherwise), or to capture (as in hunting or pursuit). The core meaning involves the act of laying hold of or physically grasping someone or something, either gently or with force, often with the intention of detaining, restraining, or possessing.

Semantic Range

to arrest, to seize, to apprehend, to grasp (by the hand), to capture (in hunting or pursuit), to take hold of physically

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root πιάζω, possibly related to βιάζω ('to use force, to compel'), though the exact etymological relationship is uncertain. The connection may derive from an underlying idea of applying force or pressure. Compare also πιέζω ('to press, to squeeze').

Historical & Contextual Notes

πιάζω is a post-classical Greek verb, not widely attested in classical sources but more frequent in Hellenistic and Koine Greek. In the Septuagint and New Testament, πιάζω predominantly means 'to arrest' or 'to seize'—especially in legal or hostile contexts, such as the apprehension of Yeshua (Jesus) or persecuted figures. Occasionally, it can mean 'to catch' in a more neutral sense (e.g., catching fish), though the emphasis is usually on the act of forceful grasp or detention. The nuance may vary from gentle taking hold (by the hand) to legal seizure or forceful capture. English translations often render this simply as 'arrest,' 'take,' or 'seize,' which can miss the potential variability between official arrest and general seizing or capturing. In broader Koine Greek, πιάζω sometimes overlaps in meaning with βιάζω (to use force) and πιέζω (to press), but retains a particular sense of the physical act of grasping or seizing. Its legal/arresting sense is especially prominent in later Greek and early Christian texts.

Translation Consistency

primary "seize" 10 occurrences

Seize best covers the full semantic range (to take hold of, grasp, capture, or arrest) in a neutral, natural English verb. It fits physical grabbing, legal apprehension, and capture contexts better than more colloquial (grab) or narrower (arrest, catch) alternatives, and matches common English renderings of the lemma.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):

"caught" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably another form of βιάζω; to squeeze, i.e. seize (gently by the hand (press), or officially (arrest), or in hunting (capture)):--apprehend, catch, lay hand on, take. Compare πιέζω.

Root Family

πιάζω (piazō) — to seize, to grasp, to take hold of

Root πιάζ- to seize, to grasp, to take hold of

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4084-05`	πιάσαι	piasai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to seize	to seize	to seize	4
`G4084-06`	πιάσας	piasas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having seized	having seized	having seized	2
`G4084-07`	πιάσωσιν	piasosin	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	arrest	they might seize	they might seize	2
`G4084-03`	ἐπίασεν	epiasen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	seized	he seized	seized	1
`G4084-01`	ἐπίασαν	epiasan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	they caught	they seized	they caught	1
`G4084-04`	ἐπιάσθη	epiasthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was captured	was seized	was seized	1
`G4084-02`	ἐπιάσατε	epiasate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	you have caught	you seized	you have caught	1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4084-05`	John 7:30	πιάσαι	piasai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to seize	to seize	to seize
`G4084-07`	John 7:32	πιάσωσιν	piasosin	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	arrest	they might seize	they might seize
`G4084-05`	John 7:44	πιάσαι	piasai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to seize	to seize	to seize
`G4084-03`	John 8:20	ἐπίασεν	epiasen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	seized	he seized	seized
`G4084-05`	John 10:39	πιάσαι	piasai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to seize	to seize	to seize
`G4084-07`	John 11:57	πιάσωσιν	piasosin	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	they might seize	they might seize	they might seize
`G4084-01`	John 21:3	ἐπίασαν	epiasan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	they caught	they seized	they caught
`G4084-02`	John 21:10	ἐπιάσατε	epiasate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	you have caught	you seized	you have caught
`G4084-06`	Acts 3:7	πιάσας	piasas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	seizing him	having seized	having seized
`G4084-06`	Acts 12:4	πιάσας	piasas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having seized	having seized	having seized
`G4084-05`	2 Corinthians 11:32	πιάσαι	piasai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to seize	to seize	to seize
`G4084-04`	Revelation 19:20	ἐπιάσθη	epiasthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was captured	was seized	was seized

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