θεάομαι
theáomai
G2300 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To observe attentively, to look closely or gaze upon something or someone, often with sustained attention or reflective contemplation; can also mean to examine, consider, or regard with intent observation. In extended contexts, may include the idea of contemplating in order to form judgment or understanding.
Semantic Range
to observe attentively, to look closely at, to behold, to contemplate, to examine, to witness, to regard, to perceive with discernment
Root / Etymology
From the stem θεα- related to θέα, 'a view, a spectacle'. θεάομαι is a denominative verb meaning 'to view, to behold.' It is related to the noun θέατρον ('theatre', a place of viewing).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, θεάομαι is commonly used to denote observing a spectacle, play, or event, emphasizing a prolonged or discerning gaze rather than a momentary glance. In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew verbs like רָאָה (to see) where a careful or deliberate observation is implied. In the New Testament, θεάομαι often means to look closely at or behold, sometimes with implications of contemplation, recognition, or discernment (e.g., John 1:32; 1 John 1:1). It can differ from ὁράω (more general 'to see') and ὀπτάνομαι (usually 'to appear' or 'to be seen', often used of supernatural appearances). English translations such as 'see' or 'behold' tend not to fully convey the attentive, deliberate aspect of θεάομαι. Unlike theatrum with its later performative connotations, θεάομαι retains emphasis on the act of attentive observation rather than mere passive watching. The word does not inherently contain a religious or visionary meaning, though context may lend it such nuance.
Translation Consistency
“Look” is the most natural, versatile English verb that captures attentive, intentional visual observation (gaze, behold, observe, examine) without sounding archaic or overly formal. It can be inflected and paired with modifiers (e.g., look closely, look upon) to cover the full SILEX semantic range of θεάομαι while remaining consistent and idiomatic.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. (by implication) perceive (literally or figuratively); by extension to visit:--behold, look (upon), see. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
Root Family
θεα- (theá) — to be a deity, to be divine
Word Forms
14 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2300-12 |
θεάσασθαι | theasasthai | V AOR MID INF |
to see | to behold for oneself | to behold for oneself | 4 |
G2300-01 |
ἐθεασάμεθα | etheasametha | V AOR MID IND 1P PL |
we beheld | we ourselves gazed upon | we ourselves gazed upon | 2 |
G2300-02 |
ἐθεάσαντο | etheasanto | V AOR MID IND 3P PL |
saw | they gazed upon | they gazed upon | 2 |
G2300-09 |
θεασάμενοι | theasamenoi | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL |
had seen | having observed for themselves | having observed for themselves | 2 |
G2300-11 |
θεασάμενος | theasamenos | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG |
having seen | having gazed upon | having looked upon | 2 |
G2300-14 |
θεαθῆναι | theathenai | V AOR PASS INF |
be seen | to be gazed upon | to be looked at | 2 |
G2300-03 |
ἐθεάσασθε | etheasasthe | V AOR MID IND 2P PL |
you saw | you gazed upon | you gazed upon | 1 |
G2300-04 |
ἐθεάσατο | etheasato | V AOR MID IND 3P SG |
He noticed | he gazed upon | he gazed upon | 1 |
G2300-05 |
ἐθεάθη | etheathe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
had been seen | was gazed upon | was seen | 1 |
G2300-06 |
τεθέαμαι | tetheamai | V PRF MID IND 1P SG |
I have seen | I have gazed upon | I have gazed upon | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
22 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2300-14 |
Matthew 6:1 | θεαθῆναι | theathenai | V AOR PASS INF |
be seen | to be gazed upon | to be looked at |
G2300-12 |
Matthew 11:7 | θεάσασθαι | theasasthai | V AOR MID INF |
to see | to behold for oneself | to behold for oneself |
G2300-12 |
Matthew 22:11 | θεάσασθαι | theasasthai | V AOR MID INF |
to see | to behold for oneself | to behold for oneself |
G2300-14 |
Matthew 23:5 | θεαθῆναι | theathenai | V AOR PASS INF |
be seen | to be gazed upon | to be looked at |
G2300-05 |
Mark 16:11 | ἐθεάθη | etheathe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
had been seen | was gazed upon | was seen |
G2300-10 |
Mark 16:14 | θεασαμένοις | theasamenois | V AOR MID PTCP DAT M PL |
who had seen | to those having closely observed | to those having closely observed |
G2300-04 |
Luke 5:27 | ἐθεάσατο | etheasato | V AOR MID IND 3P SG |
He noticed | he gazed upon | he gazed upon |
G2300-12 |
Luke 7:24 | θεάσασθαι | theasasthai | V AOR MID INF |
to see | to behold for oneself | to behold for oneself |
G2300-02 |
Luke 23:55 | ἐθεάσαντο | etheasanto | V AOR MID IND 3P PL |
saw | they gazed upon | they gazed upon |
G2300-01 |
John 1:14 | ἐθεασάμεθα | etheasametha | V AOR MID IND 1P PL |
we beheld | we ourselves gazed upon | we ourselves gazed upon |
G2300-06 |
John 1:32 | τεθέαμαι | tetheamai | V PRF MID IND 1P SG |
I have seen | I have gazed upon | I have gazed upon |
G2300-11 |
John 1:38 | θεασάμενος | theasamenos | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG |
having seen | having gazed upon | having looked upon |
G2300-13 |
John 4:35 | θεάσασθε | theasasthe | V AOR MID IMP 2P PL |
see | Gaze attentively! | Gaze attentively |
G2300-11 |
John 6:5 | θεασάμενος | theasamenos | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG |
seeing | having gazed upon | having looked upon |
G2300-09 |
John 11:45 | θεασάμενοι | theasamenoi | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL |
had seen | having observed for themselves | having observed for themselves |
G2300-03 |
Acts 1:11 | ἐθεάσασθε | etheasasthe | V AOR MID IND 2P PL |
you saw | you gazed upon | you gazed upon |
G2300-09 |
Acts 21:27 | θεασάμενοι | theasamenoi | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL |
having seen | having observed for themselves | having observed for themselves |
G2300-02 |
Acts 22:9 | ἐθεάσαντο | etheasanto | V AOR MID IND 3P PL |
saw | they gazed upon | they gazed upon |
G2300-12 |
Romans 15:24 | θεάσασθαι | theasasthai | V AOR MID INF |
to see | to behold for oneself | to behold for oneself |
G2300-01 |
1 John 1:1 | ἐθεασάμεθα | etheasametha | V AOR MID IND 1P PL |
we have looked upon | we ourselves gazed upon | we ourselves gazed upon |
G2300-08 |
1 John 4:12 | τεθέαται | tetheatai | V PRF MID IND 3P SG |
has seen | has gazed upon | has seen |
G2300-07 |
1 John 4:14 | τεθεάμεθα | tetheametha | V PRF MID IND 1P PL |
have seen | we have gazed upon | we have gazed upon |