ἱστορέω
historéō
G2477 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To inquire after or investigate something, especially by personal observation or inquiry. In Hellenistic Greek, the term can also bear the sense of to visit for the purpose of gaining information or to witness something directly. In some contexts, it means to learn or become acquainted with through inquiry, or to provide an account based on observation.
Semantic Range
to inquire, to investigate, to visit for information, to learn by inquiry, to become acquainted with, to observe directly
Root / Etymology
From the stem ἱστορ-, derived from ἵστωρ (histor), meaning 'one who knows by inquiry, a wise person, a learned man'. Ultimately related to εἴδω (to see/know), but the formation is through ἵστωρ or histor.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἱστορέω in classical usage primarily denotes the act of inquiry to obtain knowledge, often implying a methodical, investigative approach. It appears in Herodotus (whose work is called ἱστορίαι, 'Enquiries') for the process of gathering information about events, places, or people. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the New Testament (Galatians 1:18), it can refer more specifically to visiting someone to acquire information, particularly by direct personal experience or questioning—such as Paul's visit to Cephas (Peter) in Jerusalem to become acquainted with him. Lexical development: The modern English words 'history' and 'historian' are ultimately derived from this root, though the English sense (a systematic account of events) is somewhat broader than the Greek verb, which centers on the act of learning by investigation. The understanding as merely 'seeing' is reductive; the word denotes a process of learning through active inquiry, not just visual observation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of εἴδω; to be knowing (learned), i.e. (by implication) to visit for information (interview):--see.
Root Family
ἱστορ- (historéō) — to inquire, to investigate, to visit for the purpose of learning, to become acquainted with
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2477-01 |
ἱστορῆσαι | istoresai | V AOR ACT INF |
to visit | to inquire into | to inquire into | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2477-01 |
Galatians 1:18 | ἱστορῆσαι | istoresai | V AOR ACT INF |
to visit | to inquire into | to inquire into |