θεωρία
theōría
G2335 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
the act of observing attentively, contemplation or philosophical observation; an event or spectacle that draws attention as an object of observation. The primary sense denotes attentive viewing, often with an implication of deeper consideration or inquiry.
Semantic Range
act of attentive observation, contemplation, spectatorship, a perceived spectacle or event, sight to behold, philosophical/theoretical consideration
Root / Etymology
from θεωρέω (to look at intently, to observe), which itself is from the root θεωρ- meaning related to viewing or observing. θεωρία is the noun form indicating the act, process, or outcome of such observation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, θεωρία originally referred to participation in public festivals or religious delegations as a 'theoria'—a group sent to observe or represent at sacred events—hence a sense of official observation or sightseeing. Philosophically, especially in later antiquity, θεωρία comes to mean 'theoretical contemplation'—observation with a view to understanding or insight, prominent in Platonic and later philosophical contexts. In the Koine period, including the New Testament and Septuagint, its usage narrows to 'the act of seeing,' 'spectacle,' or 'sight to behold.' Translations as 'sight' or 'spectacle' in English render this sense, but sometimes obscure the contemplative or deliberate aspect implicit in the original. The term contrasts with more routine or casual seeing (as with ὁράω or βλέπω), as θεωρία frequently connotes deliberate, attentive, or focused viewing; the noun is rare in the New Testament, emphasizing the extraordinary character of what is seen or the process of observant contemplation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as θεωρέω; spectatorship, i.e. (concretely) a spectacle:--sight.
Root Family
θεωρ- (theōréō) — to observe, to watch, to contemplate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G2334 | θεωρέω | was attentively observing |
| G3865 | παραθεωρέω | they were being overlooked |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2335-01 |
θεωρίαν | theorian | N ACC F SG |
spectacle | attentive observation | spectacle | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2335-01 |
Luke 23:48 | θεωρίαν | theorian | N ACC F SG |
spectacle | attentive observation | spectacle |