Grasping, in a biblical context, often refers to the act of seizing or holding onto something, whether physically or metaphorically. It can denote both a literal action and a figurative concept, such as the pursuit of wealth, power, or status. The Bible addresses the concept of grasping in various ways, often highlighting the moral and spiritual implications of such behavior.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, grasping is frequently associated with greed and the pursuit of material wealth. Proverbs 28:22 warns, "A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him." This verse highlights the futility and potential downfall of those who grasp after riches without regard for righteousness or the well-being of others.

The account of Jacob and Esau provides a vivid example of grasping. Jacob's name itself means "he grasps the heel," a reference to his birth when he held onto his brother Esau's heel (Genesis 25:26). This act foreshadows Jacob's later actions, where he grasps for Esau's birthright and blessing, illustrating the consequences of deceit and ambition.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the concept of grasping is often contrasted with the virtues of contentment and humility. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, writes about Jesus Christ, who "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped" (Philippians 2:6). This passage emphasizes Christ's humility and willingness to relinquish His divine privileges for the sake of humanity, serving as a model for believers to follow.

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 further illustrates the dangers of grasping for material wealth. The rich man, who hoards his abundance without regard for God or others, is called a fool when his life is demanded of him, underscoring the transient nature of earthly possessions and the importance of being "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21).

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Grasping, when driven by selfish ambition or greed, is often condemned in Scripture. It is seen as a manifestation of a heart that is not aligned with God's will. The Bible encourages believers to seek contentment and to trust in God's provision. Hebrews 13:5 advises, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you'" .

The act of grasping can also be understood in a positive light when it involves holding fast to faith and the promises of God. In 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul exhorts Timothy to "fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called" . Here, grasping is portrayed as a determined and faithful pursuit of spiritual goals.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on grasping challenges believers to examine their motives and priorities. While the world often encourages the pursuit of wealth and status, Scripture calls for a life marked by humility, contentment, and a focus on eternal values. Through the examples and teachings found in the Bible, believers are encouraged to grasp not for the fleeting treasures of this world, but for the enduring promises of God.1. (a.) Seizing; embracing; catching.

2. (a.) Avaricious; greedy of gain; covetous; close; miserly; as, he is a grasping man.

5495. cheir -- the hand
... hand. Perhaps from the base of cheimon in the sense of its congener the base of
chasma (through the idea of hollowness for grasping); the hand (literally or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5495.htm - 7k

4793. sugkrino -- to combine, compare
... Positively, 4793 ("closely compare") means grasping truths as they are ""
into one entity, ie where each is understood (, 1 Cor 2:14). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4793.htm - 7k

5147. tribos -- a beaten track, a path
... It is the "road of faith," which God equally extends to all people, so all can know
Him for who He really is (personally grasping His attributes, cf. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5147.htm - 7k

1212. delos -- clear, evident
... evident. 1212 (an adjective) -- properly, what is ("manifest"); because of "
perception" (J. Thayer), ie grasping what is (self-). Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1212.htm - 6k

676. etsba -- a finger
... finger, toe. From the same as tseba' (in the sense of grasping); something to sieze
with, ie A finger; by analogy, a toe -- finger, toe. see HEBREW tseba'. ...
/hebrew/676.htm - 6k

7469. reuth -- longing, striving
... vexation. Probably from ra'ah; a feeding upon, ie Grasping after -- vexation. see
HEBREW ra'ah. 7468, 7469. reuth. 7470 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7469.htm - 6k

106. egroph -- a fist
... Word Origin from garaph Definition a fist NASB Word Usage fist (2). fist. From garaph
(in the sense of grasping); the clenched hand -- fist. see HEBREW garaph. ...
/hebrew/106.htm - 6k

1575. Gammadim -- "men of valor," defenders of Tyre
... Gammadims. From the same as gomed; a warrior (as grasping weapons) -- Gammadims.
see HEBREW gomed. 1574, 1575. Gammadim. 1576 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1575.htm - 6k

On Grasping the Knowledge of Spiritual Things.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter II. On grasping the knowledge of spiritual
things. Whoever then would arrive at this theoretical ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter ii on grasping the.htm

What a Project was It, to be Grasping after the Knowledge of all ...
... [Way-2-31] What a project was it, to be grasping after the knowledge of
all the opinions? What a project was it, to be grasping ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-31 what a project was.htm

But we Need no Longer Show in this Narrow Way the Drawback of this ...
... To show what I mean, we generally find the grasping man throwing the blame on his
nearest kin; the man mad after notoriety and ambition generally makes his ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter iv but we need.htm

Faith the Foundation of all Knowledge.
... But those who believe not, as to be expected, drag all down from heaven, and the
region of the invisible, to earth, "absolutely grasping with their hands rocks ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iv faith the foundation of.htm

The Habitation of the Soul
... There is no true refuge nor any peace and rest for a man unless in grasping the
articulate word of God, and building his assurance upon that. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the habitation of the soul.htm

To the Honourable Mr Yorke.
... Trembling, at once, with eagerness and age? With avarice, and convulsions,
grasping hard? Grasping at air! for what has earth beside? ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/to the honourable mr yorke.htm

1 John iv. 16-Dec
... Now certainly, "the root of all evils is avarice." We find that in pride there is
also avarice, (or grasping;) for man has passed bounds: and what is it to be ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily viii 1 john iv.htm

1 Timothy iv. 3-Jan
... For if wealth is a good, but is increased by grasping, the more it is increased,
the more will its possessor be considered to be good. ...
/.../homily xii 1 timothy iv.htm

How Saints May Help the Devil
... commendation as successful merchants, whose lives will not bear the test of Scripture,
whose business transactions were as hard as griping, as grasping, as the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/how saints may help the.htm

False Professors Solemnly Warned
... If you want men that are hard in business, that are grasping after wealth, that
seize upon the poor debtor and suck the last particle of his blood; if you want ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/false professors solemnly warned.htm

Grasping (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Seizing; embracing; catching. 2. (a.) Avaricious; greedy of gain; covetous;
close; miserly; as, he is a grasping man. ...Grasping (3 Occurrences). ...
/g/grasping.htm - 7k

Grip (32 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) An energetic or tenacious grasp; a holding fast; strength in grasping. ...
7. (n.) A device for grasping or holding fast to something. ...
/g/grip.htm - 16k

Grasp (20 Occurrences)
... with; to comprehend. 3. (vi) To effect a grasp; to make the motion of grasping;
to clutch; to struggle; to strive. 4. (n.) A gripe ...
/g/grasp.htm - 13k

Grasped (11 Occurrences)

/g/grasped.htm - 9k

Outsider (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A locksmith's pinchers for grasping the point of a key in the keyhole,
to open a door from the outside when the key is inside. ...
/o/outsider.htm - 9k

Jaw (6 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) One of a pair of opposing parts which are movable towards or from each other,
for grasping or crushing anything between them, as, the jaws of a vise ...
/j/jaw.htm - 11k

Grasps (5 Occurrences)

/g/grasps.htm - 7k

Robbery (18 Occurrences)
... whence the King James Version's "robbery." The verse would then mean "who thought
that being on an equality with God did not consist in grasping," and this ...
/r/robbery.htm - 16k

Restraining (9 Occurrences)
... lips 'is' wise. (YLT). Proverbs 27:16 restraining her is like restraining
the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand. (WEB NIV). ...
/r/restraining.htm - 9k

Rapacious (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Avaricious; grasping; extortionate; also, greedy; ravenous; voracious; as,
rapacious usurers; a rapacious appetite. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/r/rapacious.htm - 7k

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