ἐξετάζω
exetázō
G1833 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To examine or investigate thoroughly, especially by careful questioning or inquiry. The term encompasses both systematic or detailed searching for information and intensive questioning aimed at obtaining clarity, truth, or hidden facts. In some contexts, it denotes judicial or formal interrogation.
Semantic Range
to examine thoroughly, to investigate, to interrogate formally, to make a diligent search, to inquire closely, to scrutinize, to question (with attention to detail)
Root / Etymology
From ἐκ (out of, from) + ἐτάζω (to examine or inspect), meaning 'to examine out of' or 'to draw out by examination.' ἐτάζω itself is likely related to tâzein (to scrutinize). The compound construction emphasizes intensity and depth of the examination.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐξετάζω is attested in contexts involving judicial investigations, examinations of evidence, or thorough searches for information. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods, it appears in both legal and rhetorical contexts to denote careful inquiry or interrogation, often with the implication of formal processes. In the Septuagint, it can be used for searching (as in seeking out or inquiring after matters deeply). In the New Testament, the word is used both for literal interrogation (e.g., Pilate questioning Jesus) and for searching out or investigating facts. English translations often render it as 'ask,' 'search,' 'inquire,' or 'examine,' sometimes not fully capturing the investigative or formal tenor of the term. The distinction between ἐξετάζω (to examine thoroughly) and other terms like ἐρωτάω (to ask a question) is that ἐξετάζω typically implies a more comprehensive, and sometimes official or judicial, inquiry. It should be distinguished from similar-sounding verbs that simply mean to look for or to ask without the implication of intensity or scrutiny.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and (to examine); to test thoroughly (by questions), i.e. ascertain or interrogate:--ask, enquire, search.
Root Family
ἐξετάζω (exetazō) — examine, investigate, search out, interrogate
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1833-02 |
ἐξετάσατε | exetasate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
and search | Examine thoroughly | examine thoroughly | 2 |
G1833-01 |
ἐξετάσαι | exetasai | V AOR ACT INF |
to ask | to thoroughly examine | to thoroughly examine | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1833-02 |
Matthew 2:8 | ἐξετάσατε | exetasate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
and search | Examine thoroughly | Examine thoroughly |
G1833-02 |
Matthew 10:11 | ἐξετάσατε | exetasate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
inquire | Examine thoroughly | examine thoroughly |
G1833-01 |
John 21:12 | ἐξετάσαι | exetasai | V AOR ACT INF |
to ask | to thoroughly examine | to thoroughly examine |