ἐξερευνάω
exereunáō
G1830 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To investigate thoroughly, to search out in detail, to examine deeply. The term emphasizes a careful, exhaustive search or examination, whether intellectual, factual, or spiritual. In figurative or transferred usage, it denotes the effort to uncover, probe, or discern that which is hidden, difficult to access, or mysterious, especially intentions, facts, or truths.
Semantic Range
to search out, to examine thoroughly, to investigate exhaustively, to explore, to probe, to discern (especially something hidden or mysterious), to seek diligently
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἐκ ('out of, from') and the verb ἐρευνάω ('to search, to inquire'). The compound thus intensifies the sense of searching 'out' or 'through' something, adding the nuance of searching out completely or with thoroughness.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, the simplex ἐρευνάω is most common, meaning 'to search, examine, investigate.' The prefix ἐκ- adds the sense of searching 'out' from within, so ἐξερευνάω generally means to search out fully or to investigate exhaustively. The word appears rarely in extant Greek literature but is attested in both the Septuagint (e.g., Psalms) and the New Testament (notably 1 Peter 1:10), where it denotes a particularly intense or diligent process of inquiry. Standard English translations often render it 'search diligently' or 'investigate thoroughly,' which generally captures its sense, though the intensive aspect conferred by the prefix may be underappreciated. The term is related in nuance to ἀνακρίνω ('to examine, interrogate'), but ἐξερευνάω emphasizes the thoroughness and depth of the search rather than judicial or legal connotations.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and ἐρευνάω; to explore (figuratively):--search diligently.
Root Family
ἐξερευνάω (exereunaō) — to search out, to examine thoroughly, to investigate exhaustively
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1830-01 |
ἐξηραύνησαν | exeraunesan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
inquired | they thoroughly searched out | they thoroughly searched out | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1830-01 |
1 Peter 1:10 | ἐξηραύνησαν | exeraunesan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
inquired | they thoroughly searched out | they thoroughly searched out |