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εὑρίσκω

heurískō

G2147 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To find or discover, whether by search or chance; to come upon, detect, or obtain something (concrete or abstract); in some contexts, to reach a conclusion or realize (intellectually or experientially); also, to experience a result (e.g., 'find favor' meaning to receive favor). The sense can be physical (finding an object or person), cognitive (coming to understand or conclude), or metaphorical (achieving, obtaining, or experiencing an outcome).

Semantic Range

to find, to discover, to obtain, to come upon, to perceive, to realize, to experience, to conclude, to learn, to encounter, to get, to acquire, to receive (as in 'find favor')

Root / Etymology

From the root εὑρ- (heur-), related to the act of finding or discovering; possible ancient Indo-European roots relating to tracing or tracking, but ultimate etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, εὑρίσκω primarily refers to finding or discovering, often by seeking (cf. Herodotus, Homer). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the LXX and New Testament, it retained this primary meaning but also broadened to include mental or experiential discovery—such as realizing or reaching an understanding (Matt 7:7; Luke 15:9). The verb is frequently used in idiomatic expressions (e.g., 'find favor,' 'find fault') and in judicial or evaluative contexts (being ‘found’ worthy or unworthy). The root is the source of English derivatives such as 'heuristic.' In Septuagint and New Testament usage, the verb sometimes reflects Hebrew מצא (matzaʾ, to find), especially in formulaic or narrative contexts. English translations usually render it as 'find' or 'discover,' though in some contexts broader senses like 'obtain' or 'come upon' are appropriate. The verb’s aorist and other forms are supplied by ἕυρον and its cognates due to the irregular tense system. Its semantic overlap with analogous verbs (e.g., ἀνακαλύπτω 'to unveil') shows contextual nuances; ἑυρίσκω is not restricted to mere perception, but may indicate insight, acquisition, or achievement, depending on context.

Translation Consistency

primary "find" 66 occurrences

εὑρίσκω most commonly and naturally means “to find” (physical discovery, coming upon, learning/realizing, or experiencing/obtaining—e.g., “find favor”). “Find” is the simplest, most frequent and idiomatic English rendering in the corpus and covers the full typical semantic range better than more formal alternatives like “obtain” or “discover.” Using “find” ensures consistent, natural translations across all forms.

Alternatives (110 occurrences):
"found" (85x) "having found" (19x) "might be found" (4x) "having been found" (1x) "having found for" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a prolonged form of a primary , which (together with another cognate form) is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect; to find (literally or figuratively):--find, get, obtain, perceive, see.

Root Family

εὑρίσκω (heuriskō) — to find, to discover, to obtain

Root εὑρ- to find, to discover, to obtain

Word Forms

41 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2147-37 εὗρον euron V AOR ACT IND 1P SG they found I found they found 42
G2147-16 εὑρέθη eurethe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was found was found was found 17
G2147-08 εὗρεν euren V AOR ACT IND 3P SG found he found he found 16
G2147-27 εὑρίσκει euriskei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG finds finds finds 12
G2147-12 εὑρήσετε euresete V FUT ACT IND 2P PL you will find you (plural) will find you (plural) will find 10
G2147-10 εὑρήσει euresei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will find he/she/it will find he/she/it will find 8
G2147-38 εὑρόντες eurontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL having found having found having found 8
G2147-29 εὑρίσκω eurisko V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I find I am finding I am finding 6
G2147-04 εὑρεῖν eurein V AOR ACT INF to find to find to find 5
G2147-03 εὕρῃ eure V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG finds might find might find 5

Occurrences in Scripture

176 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2147-16 Matthew 1:18 εὑρέθη eurethe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG she was found was found was found
G2147-15 Matthew 2:8 εὕρητε eurete V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL you find you may find you may find
G2147-12 Matthew 7:7 εὑρήσετε euresete V FUT ACT IND 2P PL you will find you (plural) will find you (plural) will find
G2147-27 Matthew 7:8 εὑρίσκει euriskei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG finds finds finds
G2147-33 Matthew 7:14 εὑρίσκοντες euriskontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL finding finding finding
G2147-37 Matthew 8:10 εὗρον euron V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I have found I found I found
G2147-37 Matthew 10:39 εὑρὼν euron V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG has found I found finding
G2147-10 Matthew 10:39 εὑρήσει euresei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will find he/she/it will find he/she/it will find
G2147-12 Matthew 11:29 εὑρήσετε euresete V FUT ACT IND 2P PL you will find you (plural) will find you (plural) will find
G2147-27 Matthew 12:43 εὑρίσκει euriskei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG finds finds finds
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