ἀνευρίσκω (aneuriskō)
aneuriskō
to find
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb aneuriskō means to find something through active searching or investigation. It is not a casual discovery but a deliberate act of seeking that results in locating what was lost or hidden. The prefix ana suggests a thoroughness, implying that the finder has looked carefully and persistently until the object is secured.
This word appears only twice in the New Testament, both times highlighting the relief of successful search. In Luke 2:16, the shepherds hurry to Bethlehem and aneuriskō to find Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Later, in Acts 21:4, the disciples at Tyre seek out Paul through the Spirit’s prompting. In both cases, the finding is immediate and significant, confirming the purpose of their journey.
While common Greek words like heuriskō also mean to find, aneuriskō carries a nuance of intentional inquiry. It is used when people actively look for a person or truth and succeed. The sources note its use in the Septuagint with similar force, reinforcing that this is a word for purposeful discovery rather than accidental chance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word aneuriskō describes a finding that comes after careful seeking. It is not luck or chance, but the result of looking with purpose until what was sought is secured. When we search for God’s guidance or truth, this verb reminds us that persistence matters. We do not stumble upon grace by accident; we encounter it when we earnestly look for it.
In Luke 2:16, the shepherds hurry to Bethlehem and aneuriskō to find Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. Their haste shows they did not wait passively but moved quickly toward the answer. This word invites us to be active in our faith, trusting that God meets those who seek Him with intention.
Acts 21:4 adds another layer: the disciples at Tyre seek out Paul through the Spirit’s prompting. Here, finding is not just about locating a person but recognizing divine direction. Whether we are looking for comfort, truth, or community, aneuriskō assures us that our search has meaning when it is rooted in faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they found1×
- Having sought out1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἀνευρόντες1×
- ἀνεῦραν1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 2:16
They came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
The shepherds' haste and immediate finding confirm the fulfillment of the angel's message, showing that active seeking leads to divine encounter.
-
Acts 21:4
Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
The disciples' Spirit-led search for Paul highlights how finding can involve discerning God's will through community and spiritual prompting.