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σκοπέω

skopéō

G4648 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To observe attentively, to keep watch upon, to look at with scrutiny or careful attention. In extended usage, to pay close attention to, to consider or take heed, to examine or regard with intent. The primary sense involves deliberate viewing or surveillance, whether literal or figurative.

Semantic Range

to watch attentively, to keep an eye on, to scrutinize, to consider, to take heed, to examine, to regard, to be mindful, to look at carefully

Root / Etymology

Derived from σκοπός (skopos), meaning 'a watcher' or 'one who observes,' ultimately from the verb σκοπέω, which means 'to look at,' with possible relation to Indo-European root *spek- ('to observe').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, σκοπέω denoted the act of watching, marking, or considering with care, often with the implication of scrutiny or deliberate observation. By the Hellenistic period and in Koine usage, it appears frequently with both literal and extended metaphorical senses—such as 'to consider,' 'to pay attention to,' or 'to take heed of' circumstances, individuals, or teachings. In the Septuagint, it typically renders Hebrew roots for 'observe,' 'consider,' or 'watch.' In the New Testament, σκοπέω regularly conveys the notion of intentional attention, whether ethical ('take heed to yourself,' Phil 3:17) or observational ('watch closely'). Modern English translations often use 'consider,' 'observe,' or 'take heed,' but none fully convey the sense of alert watchfulness and evaluative attention inherent in the Greek. Related verbs include βλέπω ('see'), ὁράω ('perceive, see'), and ἐπισκοπέω ('oversee, supervise'), with σκοπέω emphasizing attentive or discerning monitoring rather than mere sight.

Translation Consistency

primary "watch" 2 occurrences

“Watch” captures the primary sense of deliberate, attentive looking or keeping guard (literal surveillance and figurative heed/consideration). It is natural English, covers scrutiny and guarded attention, and will render consistently across all inflected forms.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"observe" (1x) "those observing" (1x) "carefully observing" (1x) "observe carefully" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σκοπός; to take aim at (spy), i.e. (figuratively) regard:--consider, take heed, look at (on), mark. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.

Root Family

σκοπ- (episképtomai) — to observe, to look at, to examine, to oversee

Root σκοπ- to watch, to observe, to consider
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1980 ἐπισκέπτομαι you visited with care
G1983 ἐπισκοπέω overseeing
G2684 κατασκοπέω to spy out
G2685 κατάσκοπος reconnaissance agents
G4649 σκοπός attentively watching one

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4648-01 σκόπει skopei V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG watch out keep watching carefully watch carefully 1
G4648-02 σκοπεῖν skopein V PRS ACT INF to watch out for to observe closely to observe closely 1
G4648-03 σκοπεῖτε skopeite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL observe Keep watching carefully observe carefully 1
G4648-04 σκοπῶν skopon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG looking the one watching closely watching closely 1
G4648-05 σκοποῦντες skopountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL looking out carefully observing carefully observing 1
G4648-06 σκοπούντων skopounton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL fixing our eyes of those watching closely of those observing attentively 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4648-01 Luke 11:35 σκόπει skopei V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG watch out keep watching carefully watch carefully
G4648-02 Romans 16:17 σκοπεῖν skopein V PRS ACT INF to watch out for to observe closely to observe closely
G4648-06 2 Corinthians 4:18 σκοπούντων skopounton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL fixing our eyes of those watching closely of those observing attentively
G4648-04 Galatians 6:1 σκοπῶν skopon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG looking the one watching closely watching closely
G4648-05 Philippians 2:4 σκοποῦντες skopountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL looking out carefully observing carefully observing
G4648-03 Philippians 3:17 σκοπεῖτε skopeite V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL observe Keep watching carefully observe carefully
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