ἀντοφθαλμέω (antophthalmeō)
antophthalmeō
to face
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The rare verb antophthalmeō literally means to look someone in the face. Its components combine a prefix meaning "against" with the word for eye, creating an image of direct confrontation. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 27:15, describing a ship struggling against a fierce storm.
The text uses this term metaphorically to describe the crew’s attempt to withstand the driving force of the wind. While the literal sense involves eye contact, the biblical usage shifts toward resistance and endurance. The sources note its origin in nautical language, where it describes beating up against the wind, highlighting a physical struggle for position.
This single occurrence captures a moment of intense pressure. The word emphasizes the active effort to hold one’s ground against an overwhelming external force. It provides a vivid picture of resilience, showing how early Christian narratives employed concrete, sensory language to describe spiritual or physical trials.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word antophthalmeō paints a vivid picture of standing firm against a force far stronger than oneself. Literally meaning 'to face with the eyes,' it describes the intense act of looking directly into the path of an oncoming storm. In its single New Testament appearance, it captures the crew's desperate effort to hold their course as waves and wind pressed in from every side.
When life feels like a gale you cannot control, this word reminds us that resilience is not about ignoring the danger, but facing it with clear eyes. It acknowledges the weight of the pressure while affirming the dignity of standing your ground. You are not alone in the struggle; even in the midst of being driven along, there is value in the effort to remain steady.
This image offers comfort because it validates the difficulty of your current season. God sees the effort you make to endure when circumstances push against you. Rather than expecting calm, we are invited to trust that He sustains us through the very act of holding on.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to face1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀντοφθαλμεῖν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:15
When the ship was caught and couldn’t face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.
This verse uses the term metaphorically to describe the ship's inability to withstand the wind, highlighting the overwhelming power of external forces against human effort.