ἴδε
íde
G2396
SILEX Entry
Definition
Second person singular imperative active of the verb εἴδον (to see); primarily used as an interjection, commanding attention to something, with the sense 'look!' or 'see!' May mark emphasis, surprise, or a call to notice, similar to the English 'behold!' The core meaning is 'look!' but usage varies for emphasis, introduction of a statement, or focusing the audience's attention.
Semantic Range
look!, see!, behold!, pay attention!, mark this; calls attention to something, introduces statements, expresses surprise or emphasis
Root / Etymology
Formed from the verb εἴδον (aorist of ὁράω, 'to see'), occurring as an imperative (ἴδε, 'see!'). Related forms: ἴδου (see G2400), ἰδού, and classical ἰδού. Closely related to Latin 'vide'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἴδε is characteristically Koine Greek and found frequently in narrative and direct speech, particularly in the New Testament and the LXX, often to introduce or highlight an event, person, or statement. While earlier classical Greek used other imperatives (ὄψεο), Koine developed set interjective forms like ἴδε/ἰδού. ἴδε usually addresses a single listener, while ἴδετε is plural. Modern English translations often render ἴδε as 'behold,' 'look,' or 'see,' but 'behold' is now archaic in English and may obscure the immediacy or colloquial force of the original. ἴδε generally has no specific theological meaning but serves as a literary or rhetorical device. It appears in both the LXX and the NT, often paralleling Hebrew הִנֵּה (hinneh, 'behold'). The shift from more vivid visual language to a literary formula can be seen in some NT contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
second person singular imperative active of εἴδω; used as an interjection to denote surprise; lo!:--behold, lo, see.
Root Family
ἰδ- (íde) — to see, to notice, to look at
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.