ἐπιζητέω
epizētéō
G1934 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To seek out with purpose, to strive intently for, to search diligently with a strong sense of desire or need. The core sense is an intensified form of 'seeking,' implying a deliberate or forceful search. In various contexts, it can connote investigation, inquiry, pursuit, or even demanding something strongly.
Semantic Range
to seek for intently, to desire earnestly, to request or demand, to inquire after, to attempt to obtain, to pursue diligently
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἐπί (upon, over) and the verb ζητέω (to seek), forming a compound verb that indicates an enhanced or directed act of seeking. Common in Hellenistic Greek from the fourth century BCE onwards.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἐπιζητέω usually implies a purposeful or insistent search, stronger than ζητέω alone. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it often conveys a deep desire or urgent inquiry—whether seeking a person, favor, or truth, sometimes with an element of insistence or demand. English translations often render it as 'seek,' 'inquire after,' 'desire,' or 'demand,' but this may flatten the intensifying nuance of the prefix ἐπί, which emphasizes direction or added force. Distinct from related verbs such as ἀναζητέω (to search thoroughly) and ἐκζητέω (to search out, demand).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and ζητέω; to search (inquire) for; intensively, to demand, to crave:--desire, enquire, seek (after, for).
Root Family
ἐπιζητέω (epizēteō) — to seek, to inquire, to strive for, to pursue intently
Word Forms
8 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1934-03 |
ἐπιζητεῖ | epizetei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
seeks | earnestly seeks | 3 |
G1934-08 |
ἐπιζητοῦσιν | epizetousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
seek | they are earnestly seeking | 3 |
G1934-06 |
ἐπιζητῶ | epizeto | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I seek | I earnestly seek | 2 |
G1934-04 |
ἐπιζητεῖτε | epizeteite | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
you seek | you are earnestly seeking | 1 |
G1934-01 |
ἐπεζήτησεν | epezetesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
sought | sought out intently | 1 |
G1934-05 |
ἐπιζητήσας | epizetesas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having searched | having sought intently | 1 |
G1934-02 |
ἐπεζήτουν | epezetoun | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
were seeking | they were intently seeking | 1 |
G1934-07 |
ἐπιζητοῦμεν | epizetoumen | V PRS ACT IND 1P PL |
we seek | we earnestly seek | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
13 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1934-08 |
Matthew 6:32 | ἐπιζητοῦσιν | epizetousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
they are earnestly seeking | |
G1934-03 |
Matthew 12:39 | ἐπιζητεῖ | epizetei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
earnestly seeks | |
G1934-03 |
Matthew 16:4 | ἐπιζητεῖ | epizetei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
earnestly seeks | |
G1934-02 |
Luke 4:42 | ἐπεζήτουν | epezetoun | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
were seeking | they were intently seeking |
G1934-08 |
Luke 12:30 | ἐπιζητοῦσιν | epizetousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
seek | they are earnestly seeking |
G1934-05 |
Acts 12:19 | ἐπιζητήσας | epizetesas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having searched | having sought intently |
G1934-01 |
Acts 13:7 | ἐπεζήτησεν | epezetesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
sought | sought out intently |
G1934-04 |
Acts 19:39 | ἐπιζητεῖτε | epizeteite | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
you seek | you are earnestly seeking |
G1934-03 |
Romans 11:7 | ἐπιζητεῖ | epizetei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
seeks | earnestly seeks |
G1934-06 |
Philippians 4:17 | ἐπιζητῶ | epizeto | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I seek | I earnestly seek |