ἀποβλέπω (apoblepō)
apoblepō
to look ahead
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb apoblepō describes a focused act of looking, specifically turning one’s eyes away from distractions to fix them on a single object. It combines the prefix apo, meaning "away," with blepō, meaning "to see." This construction suggests a deliberate shift of attention, where the viewer disregards surrounding details to concentrate entirely on what matters most.
In Scripture, this word appears only once, in Hebrews 11:26. Here it describes Moses’ spiritual perspective as he chose to endure suffering with God’s people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. The text highlights that he valued the reproach of Christ above Egypt’s treasures because his gaze was fixed on an invisible reward. This usage underscores a steadfast mental and spiritual focus that persists despite visible circumstances.
The term carries significant theological weight by illustrating how faith operates through sustained attention. It is not merely seeing with physical eyes but maintaining a clear, unwavering direction of thought toward divine promises. Translators often render this as "looking" or "regarding," capturing the intentional nature of Moses’ choice to align his life with eternal values rather than temporary gain.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apoblepō describes a deliberate act of turning one’s eyes away from distractions to fix them on a single object. It is not passive observation but an active choice of focus. In Hebrews 11:26, Moses used this kind of sight to endure hardship by keeping his attention fixed on God’s invisible promise rather than Egypt’s visible treasures.
This offers a practical model for our own lives. When circumstances feel overwhelming or temporary pleasures seem more appealing, we are invited to shift our gaze. Faith often requires us to disregard the immediate noise around us and concentrate on what is eternal. This steady attention sustains us through difficult seasons.
May you find strength in this example of steadfast focus. Let your heart rest in the certainty that God sees and values your faithfulness, even when the path ahead seems unclear or costly.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he was looking1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπέβλεπεν1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 11:26
considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
This verse uniquely illustrates how apoblepō functions as a spiritual discipline, showing Moses actively ignoring Egypt's wealth to maintain focus on an eternal reward.