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ἀτενίζω

atenízō

G816 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To look intently at; to fix one's gaze on with focused attention. Used especially to indicate a steady, unwavering, or concentrated gaze, often with implication of attention, absorption, or deep consideration. Depending on context, may suggest surprise, amazement, scrutiny, or engagement with what is observed.

Semantic Range

to gaze intently, to look AFix with attention, to stare, to fasten one's eyes on, to look steadfastly, to regard closely

Root / Etymology

From the compound of the prepositional prefix ἀ- (intensive or possibly as an alpha copulative) and the verb τείνω ('to stretch out, extend'). Thus, ἀτενίζω means 'to stretch attention towards,' i.e., to stare intently.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀτενίζω is rare and appears primarily in later Hellenistic and Koine Greek. Its primary usage is in narrative description of a person's gaze, such as in the Acts of the Apostles, describing how individuals direct their attention by gazing intently. The term often highlights a heightened form of witnessing or engaging visually, more than casual looking. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it does not convey a technical sense of vision but rather a psychological focusing on the object seen. Standard English translations such as 'look intently,' 'gaze steadfastly,' or 'fix one’s eyes on' generally cover the semantic scope, but may not always express the intensity or absorption implied in Koine usage. The word does not carry overt religious or theological connotations; its intensity reflects narrative action and subjective experience.

Translation Consistency

primary "gaze" 14 occurrences

ἀτενίζω denotes a steady, intent, often absorbed looking — more specific than ‘look’ and less harsh than ‘stare.’ ‘Gaze’ naturally captures the concentrated, fixed attention in most contexts, so it will provide consistent, idiomatic English across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of Α (as a particle of union) and (to stretch); to gaze intently:--behold earnestly (stedfastly), fasten (eyes), look (earnestly, stedfastly, up stedfastly), set eyes.

Root Family

ἀτενίζω (atenizō) — to stretch toward, to direct attention, to gaze intently, to fix one’s eyes

Root τεν- to stretch (toward), to direct attention, to extend

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G816-03 ἀτενίσας atenisas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG fixed his gaze having gazed intently having gazed intently 7
G816-01 ἀτενίσαι atenisai V AOR ACT INF to-gaze to gaze intently to gaze intently 2
G816-06 ἀτενίζοντες atenizontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL gazing gazing intently gazing intently 2
G816-02 ἀτενίσαντες atenisantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL fixing their gaze having gazed intently having gazed intently 1
G816-04 ἀτενίσασα atenisasa V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG looked intently having fixed her gaze having fixed her gaze 1
G816-05 ἀτενίζετε atenizete V PRS ACT IND 2P PL stare you are gazing intently you are gazing intently 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G816-06 Luke 4:20 ἀτενίζοντες atenizontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL gazing gazing intently gazing intently
G816-04 Luke 22:56 ἀτενίσασα atenisasa V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG looked intently having fixed her gaze having fixed her gaze
G816-06 Acts 1:10 ἀτενίζοντες atenizontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL gazing gazing intently gazing intently
G816-03 Acts 3:4 ἀτενίσας atenisas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG fixing his gaze having gazed intently having gazed intently
G816-05 Acts 3:12 ἀτενίζετε atenizete V PRS ACT IND 2P PL stare you are gazing intently you are gazing intently
G816-02 Acts 6:15 ἀτενίσαντες atenisantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL fixing their gaze having gazed intently having gazed intently
G816-03 Acts 7:55 ἀτενίσας atenisas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG gazed having gazed intently having gazed intently
G816-03 Acts 10:4 ἀτενίσας atenisas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having looked intently having gazed intently having gazed intently
G816-03 Acts 11:6 ἀτενίσας atenisas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG I had fastened my eyes having gazed intently having gazed intently
G816-03 Acts 13:9 ἀτενίσας atenisas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG looked intently having gazed intently having gazed intently
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