σκοπός
skopós
G4649 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
One who observes attentively, a lookout or watcher (especially one stationed to watch or guard); by extension, the object aimed at, goal, or target. Used both for persons (watchers, sentinels) and for figurative concepts (goal, mark at which one aims, or ultimate end).
Semantic Range
observer, lookout, sentinel, scout; the object observed, goal, mark, target (figurative); focus of attention or effort
Root / Etymology
From the root σκοπ- meaning 'to look at, observe, watch.' Related to verbs such as σκοπέω ('to observe') and σκέπτομαι ('to consider, examine'), all ultimately tracing to the idea of looking or watching. Not directly related to σκάπτω ('to dig') except possibly by distant phonetic similarity; the etymological relationship is with watching or observing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Classically, σκοπός most often denotes a physical watcher or lookout, such as a sentry, scout, or someone posted to observe or signal. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the term also acquires the figurative sense of a 'mark' or 'goal'—something toward which effort or intention is directed, especially in moral, philosophical, or rhetorical contexts. The Septuagint uses σκοπός infrequently, but when it does, the meaning aligns with a sentry or watcher. In the New Testament (e.g., Philippians 3:14), the word carries the metaphorical sense of 'goal' or 'objective' at which one aims one's moral effort. English translations often render this as 'mark' or 'goal,' but the underlying Greek conveys both the sense of an actual observer/guardian and a figurative target or aspiration. The term should be distinguished from σκοπέω ('to observe') and from σημεῖον ('sign, mark'), as σκοπός more directly centers on watching/observation or the focus of one's attention or striving.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from (to peer about ("skeptic"); perhaps akin to σκάπτω through the idea of concealment; compare σκέπασμα); a watch (sentry or scout), i.e. (by implication) a goal:--mark.
Root Family
σκοπέω (skopeō) — observe, watch attentively, look out
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4648 | σκοπέω | keep watching carefully |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4649-01 |
σκοπὸν | skopon | N ACC M SG |
the goal | attentively watching one | the goal | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4649-01 |
Philippians 3:14 | σκοπὸν | skopon | N ACC M SG |
the goal | attentively watching one | the goal |