ἐπιζητέω (epizēteō)
epizēteō
to seek after
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb epizēteō means to seek after something with specific intent or diligence. It combines the prefix epi, suggesting direction or intensity, with zēteō, which simply means to seek. This construction implies a focused search rather than a casual inquiry. In the New Testament, it appears in twelve verses, often describing people looking for Jesus or believers seeking spiritual realities.
Its usage varies from physical searches to deeper desires. For instance, crowds sought Jesus after his miracles (Luke 4:42), while Paul thanked the Philippians for sharing in his hardship, noting their care for him had flourished again (Philippians 4:17). In Acts, it describes those who wanted to demand an explanation from Festus (Acts 13:7) or find Peter after his escape (Acts 12:19). The word captures both the act of looking and the earnest desire behind it.
Translators often render epizēteō as "seek" or "look for," but the prefix adds a nuance of purpose. It is not merely wandering in search, but aiming toward a specific target. This distinction helps clarify passages where individuals actively pursue Jesus or divine truths, highlighting their deliberate engagement with what they value.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epizēteō describes a search with specific intent. It combines a prefix for direction with the root for seeking, implying a focused pursuit rather than a casual inquiry. When you use this term, it suggests aiming toward a clear target. This nuance helps clarify passages where individuals actively pursue Jesus or divine truths, highlighting their deliberate engagement with what they value.
In Matthew 6:32, Jesus contrasts the Gentiles who seek after material needs with the Father who already knows your requirements. This distinction invites you to shift your focus from anxious striving to trusting care. The prefix epi adds weight, suggesting that your search should be purposeful and directed toward spiritual realities rather than fleeting comforts.
Hebrews 13:14 reminds believers that we do not have an enduring city here but seek the one to come. This perspective grounds your daily life in eternal hope. By keeping your eyes on what is lasting, you find stability amidst changing circumstances. Your search for God’s kingdom becomes the anchor for your faith journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I seek after2×
- you inquire,1×
- were sought after1×
- we are seeking for.1×
- they are seeking.1×
- seeks;1×
- seeks for;1×
- seek for;1×
- seek after;1×
- is seeking1×
- having sought after1×
- desired1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπιζητῶ2×
- ἐπιζητοῦσιν·2×
- ἐπιζητεῖ·2×
- ἐπιζητήσας1×
- ἐπιζητοῦσιν.1×
- ἐπιζητοῦμεν.1×
- ἐπιζητεῖτε,1×
- ἐπιζητεῖ1×
- ἐπεζήτουν1×
- ἐπεζήτησεν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 6:32
For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Jesus uses this term to contrast anxious material striving with the Father's prior knowledge of our needs.
-
Hebrews 13:14
For we don’t have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.
The author defines the Christian life as a deliberate pursuit of an eternal city rather than temporary earthly structures.
-
Luke 4:42
When it was day, he departed and went into an uninhabited place and the multitudes looked for him, and came to him, and held on to him, so that he wouldn’t go away from them.
This occurrence describes crowds actively holding onto Jesus, showing the physical intensity of their desire for his presence.
-
Acts 13:7
who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.
Sergius Paulus seeks to hear the word, illustrating a sincere intellectual and spiritual pursuit of divine truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does epizēteō mean in the New Testament?
How is epizēteō different from zeteo?
Where does this word appear in Scripture?
Does this word imply anxiety or trust?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 3 verses
For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Matthew 12:39But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the…
Matthew 16:4An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the…