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ἐμβλέπω

emblépō

G1689 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To look at or upon, to direct one's gaze toward; specifically, to fix one's eyes attentively on someone or something, often with intention or purpose, such as to consider, observe carefully, or study. In some contexts, the word emphasizes perceptive or attentive looking rather than a mere glance.

Semantic Range

to look at attentively, to fix one's gaze upon, to observe carefully, to regard, to consider with attention, to see (with intent), to discern, to study

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἐν ('in, upon') and the verb βλέπω ('to see, look'). The compound form intensifies the act of seeing, expressing directness or focus of attention.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐμβλέπω appears rarely but maintains the sense of gazing intently or looking purposefully. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek (including the Septuagint and New Testament), it is used for attentive, sometimes searching, looking—frequently in contexts where someone is being observed closely or studied (e.g., ἐμβλέπειν εἴς τινα: to look intently at someone). In the New Testament, it commonly describes moments where a person looks at another with significance or discernment (e.g., Jesus looking at individuals with understanding or evaluation). Standard English translations such as 'look at,' 'gaze,' or 'behold' capture the general sense but may not always convey the intensity or deliberateness implied by the Greek. Ἐμβλέπω contrasts with simple βλέπω by its compounded focus; other related verbs include ἀτενίζω ('to look intently') and θεωρέω ('to observe, theorize').

Translation Consistency

primary "look" 3 occurrences

“Look” is the most natural and flexible English verb to cover the semantic range of ἐμβλέπω — fixing one’s gaze, observing attentively, regarding or considering. It is commonly used, easily inflected for person/tense, and can carry the stronger sense of attentive or intentional observation through context or adverbs (e.g. closely, intently), so it will yield consistent and readable translations across all forms.

Alternatives (8 occurrences):
"having fixed his gaze" (6x) "gazing intently" (1x) "having fixed her gaze" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐν and βλέπω; to look on, i.e. (relatively) to observe fixedly, or (absolutely) to discern clearly:--behold, gaze up, look upon, (could) see.

Root Family

ἐμβλέπω (emblepō) — to see, to look, to behold

Root βλέπ- to see, to look, to behold

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1689-01 ἐμβλέψας emblepsas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG looking at having fixed his gaze having fixed his gaze 6
G1689-03 ἐμβλέψατε emblepsate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Behold Look intently Look intently 1
G1689-05 ἐνέβλεπον eneblepon V IMPF ACT IND 1P SG see I was looking intently I was looking intently 1
G1689-06 ἐνέβλεψεν eneblepsen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG looked looked intently upon looked intently upon 1
G1689-04 ἐνέβλεπεν eneblepen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG he saw he was gazing intently he was gazing intently 1
G1689-02 ἐμβλέψασα emblepsasa V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG looked intently having fixed her gaze having fixed her gaze 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1689-03 Matthew 6:26 ἐμβλέψατε emblepsate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL Behold Look intently Look intently
G1689-01 Matthew 19:26 ἐμβλέψας emblepsas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having looked at them having fixed his gaze having fixed his gaze
G1689-04 Mark 8:25 ἐνέβλεπεν eneblepen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG he saw he was gazing intently he was gazing intently
G1689-01 Mark 10:21 ἐμβλέψας emblepsas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG looking at having fixed his gaze having fixed his gaze
G1689-01 Mark 10:27 ἐμβλέψας emblepsas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG looking at them having fixed his gaze having fixed his gaze
G1689-02 Mark 14:67 ἐμβλέψασα emblepsasa V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG looked intently having fixed her gaze having fixed her gaze
G1689-01 Luke 20:17 ἐμβλέψας emblepsas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having looked having fixed his gaze having fixed his gaze
G1689-06 Luke 22:61 ἐνέβλεψεν eneblepsen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG looked looked intently upon looked intently upon
G1689-01 John 1:36 ἐμβλέψας emblepsas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG looking at having fixed his gaze having fixed his gaze
G1689-01 John 1:42 ἐμβλέψας emblepsas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having looked at having fixed his gaze having fixed his gaze
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