ἀτενίζω (atenizō)
atenizō
to gaze
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb atenizō describes looking with fixed, intent attention, as if straining the eyes to see clearly. Its root combines a sense of union or intensity with the idea of stretching or tension, suggesting a gaze that is physically and mentally focused. In the New Testament, this word appears fourteen times, primarily in Luke’s writings and Acts, capturing moments where observers are captivated by what they see.
It often depicts people staring at someone or something with curiosity or awe. For instance, Peter uses it to describe how a lame man looked at him expecting help (Acts 3:4), while the crowd in Jerusalem stares intently at Jesus after his triumphal entry (Luke 19:11). In Acts 6:15, Saul’s enemies look fixedly at Stephen, seeing his face like an angel’s. The word also appears metaphorically in 2 Corinthians 3:7–18, where Paul contrasts the fading glory of the old covenant with the believers’ steady gaze upon Christ, implying a spiritual focus that transforms the observer.
Unlike casual looking, atenizō implies a sustained, deliberate attention. It is not merely seeing but observing with purpose, whether in physical wonder or spiritual reflection. Translators often render it as "gaze" or "looked intently," preserving the sense of concentrated focus that distinguishes this action from ordinary sight.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word atenizō describes a gaze that is fixed, intense, and unblinking. It is not a casual glance or a fleeting look; it is the kind of attention you give when something captures your full interest. In the New Testament, this verb often appears in moments of high significance, where observers are so captivated by what they see that they cannot look away. Whether it is the crowd watching Jesus in Luke’s Gospel or Peter asking a lame man to focus on him in Acts, the word conveys a sense of awe and expectation.
For your faith life, this offers a powerful picture of how we should approach God and His Word. Just as the early believers fixed their eyes on Stephen or Paul, we are invited to hold our gaze steady on Christ. This kind of focused attention allows us to see spiritual realities more clearly. When we stop scanning for distractions and simply look with intent, we open ourselves to the transformation that comes from truly seeing who Jesus is.
Consider the scene in Acts 6:15, where those opposing Stephen saw his face shining like an angel’s because he was full of the Holy Spirit. This suggests that when our eyes are fixed on God, our own countenance can reflect His light to others. It is a call to steady, deliberate focus rather than restless looking.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having looked intently7×
- to look intently2×
- Having looked intently2×
- you look intently1×
- looking intently1×
- fixed upon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀτενίσας6×
- ἀτενίσαι2×
- ἀτενίζοντες2×
- Ἀτενίσας1×
- ἀτενίσασα1×
- ἀτενίσαντες1×
- ἀτενίζετε1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 3:4
Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, “Look at us.”
Peter uses this word to describe the lame man’s intent gaze, showing how fixed attention can create an opening for divine intervention.
-
Acts 6:15
All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
This verse highlights the spiritual transformation of Stephen, whose face shone like an angel’s because he was full of the Holy Spirit while being observed.
-
II Corinthians 3:7
But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face, which was passing away,
Paul uses this term to contrast the fading glory of the old covenant with the enduring nature of the new, emphasizing the need for steady spiritual focus.