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δοκέω

dokéō

G1380 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To regard, to think, to hold an opinion. In context, δοκέω is used with reference to subjective evaluation: to believe or suppose something, to have the impression that something is so. Additionally, it can signal how something appears to one's perception or estimation (to seem, to appear). In some constructions, especially with impersonal usage (δοκεῖ), it means 'it seems' or 'it appears' and can carry the nuance of 'it seems good,' meaning 'it is judged best' or 'it seems right.'

Semantic Range

to seem, to appear, to be of the opinion, to think, to suppose, to be reputed, to give the impression, it seems good, to decide

Root / Etymology

From the root δοκ- (dok-), to seem, to appear, to think. Sometimes compared to or conflated in ancient lexica with the verb δέω ('to show'), but etymologically distinct. Related to δόξα (doxa), ‘opinion, reputation’.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δοκέω primarily means 'to seem' or 'to appear,' referring to how something presents itself to perception or opinion. In Koine Greek (including the New Testament), the sense broadens to include 'to think,' 'to suppose,' or 'to be of the opinion.' The verb frequently governs indirect discourse or is used with an infinitive. Impersonal use (δοκεῖ, 'it seems') often introduces a judgment or decision ('it seems good', 'it seems right'), especially in public or legal contexts (cf. Acts 15:28). The semantic range can overlap with νομίζω (to suppose), but whereas δοκέω can suggest uncertainty or merely subjective perception, νομίζω more often suggests normative or customary belief. English translations sometimes render δοκέω as 'seem,' 'think,' or 'appear,' but each may reflect a different nuance in context. In philosophical texts, notably Plato, δοκέω (and its derivatives, like δόξα) denote appearance or belief as distinct from reality or knowledge. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, usage is consistent with this spectrum of meaning, often blending subjective evaluation ('to think, suppose') with perception ('to seem').

Translation Consistency

primary "think" 9 occurrences

The dominant, natural sense across contexts is cognitive — to suppose, hold an opinion, or judge — and most English renderings use “think.” Choosing “think” yields the most natural, consistent base for personal and evaluative uses (it also covers ‘suppose’/‘judge’ senses), while rarer impersonal uses (e.g. ‘it seems good’) can be treated as idiomatic renderings of the same core verb.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"those who seem" (1x) "who seem" (1x) "seem" (1x) "seems" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a prolonged form of a primary verb, (used only in an alternate in certain tenses; compare the base of δεικνύω) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly):--be accounted, (of own) please(-ure), be of reputation, seem (good), suppose, think, trow.

Root Family

δοκ- (dógma) — to think, to suppose, to seem, to decree

Root δοκ- to seem, to appear, to think, to suppose
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1378 δόγμα authoritative decree
G1384 δόκιμος proven genuine ones
G1385 δοκός a supporting beam
G2107 εὐδοκία goodwill
G4328 προσδοκάω awaits expectantly

Word Forms

24 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1380-02 δοκεῖ dokei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG seems seems he thinks 20
G1380-05 δοκεῖτε dokeite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL do you think you think you think 10
G1380-11 δοκοῦντες dokountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL seemed those supposing who seem 3
G1380-24 ἔδοξεν edoxen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG it seemed good it seemed it thought 3
G1380-06 δοκῶ doko V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I think I think I think 2
G1380-14 δοκοῦσιν dokousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL think they think they think 2
G1380-15 δόξαντες doxantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL supposing having supposed having thought 2
G1380-16 δόξῃ doxe V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG think to splendor think 2
G1380-20 ἐδόκουν edokoun V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they thought they were supposing they were thinking 2
G1380-22 ἔδοξαν edoxan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they supposed they thought they thought 2

Occurrences in Scripture

63 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1380-05 2 Corinthians 12:19 δοκεῖτε dokeite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL you think you think you think
G1380-14 Galatians 2:2 δοκοῦσιν dokousin V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M PL who were of reputation they think they think
G1380-12 Galatians 2:6 δοκούντων dokounton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL who seemed of those thinking of those who seem
G1380-11 Galatians 2:6 δοκοῦντες dokountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL who seemed those supposing who seem
G1380-11 Galatians 2:9 δοκοῦντες dokountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL seemed those supposing those thinking
G1380-02 Galatians 6:3 δοκεῖ dokei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG thinks seems he thinks
G1380-02 Philippians 3:4 δοκεῖ dokei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG thinks seems he thinks
G1380-01 Hebrews 4:1 δοκῇ doke V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG should seem may seem may seem
G1380-05 Hebrews 10:29 δοκεῖτε dokeite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL do you think you think you think
G1380-09 Hebrews 12:10 δοκοῦν dokoun V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N SG seemed best what seems seems
G1380-02 Hebrews 12:11 δοκεῖ dokei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG seems seems he thinks
G1380-02 James 1:26 δοκεῖ dokei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG thinks seems he thinks
G1380-05 James 4:5 δοκεῖτε dokeite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL do you think you think you think
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