ἀποβλέπω
apoblépō
G578 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To look away from one thing and direct one's gaze toward another; to turn one's eyes or attention away (from something) and focus on (something else). By extension, to observe attentively, to regard closely, or to fix one's mental attention, often with the sense of selective focus by disregarding other things. In figurative usage, it can indicate focusing trust or expectation.
Semantic Range
to look away from, to direct one's gaze toward, to fix one's attention on (by turning from other things), to observe attentively, to regard with selective focus, to direct expectation or trust toward
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἀπό (from, away from) and the verb βλέπω (to see, to look), thus literally 'to look away (from)'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in Hellenistic Greek, though rarely. In the New Testament, especially in Hebrews 12:2, ἀποβλέπω is used figuratively to describe focusing one’s attention or expectation on a particular object or figure, selecting this out by turning attention away from all else. The usage carries a nuance of both physical and metaphorical direction of attention—much more than simply 'looking' or 'seeing.' Standard translations such as 'look to' or 'fixing our eyes on' approximate but may not convey the notion of conscious disregard for other distractions. In later Christian literature, the term was used to describe intentional and exclusive spiritual focus. Not commonly found in classical Greek outside compositional forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀπό and βλέπω; to look away from everything else, i.e. (figuratively) intently regard:--have respect.
Root Family
ἀποβλέπω (apoblepō) — to look, to see, to regard
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G578-01 |
ἀπέβλεπεν | apeblepen | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
he was looking | was looking away toward | was looking away toward | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G578-01 |
Hebrews 11:26 | ἀπέβλεπεν | apeblepen | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
he was looking | was looking away toward | was looking away toward |