and other moods and persons of the same tense; from ἐπί and εἴδω; to regard (favorably or otherwise):--behold, look upon.
Transliteration:epeîdon
Pronunciation:ep-i'-don
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐπεῖδον (epeîdon), derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi, "upon," "over," "toward") and the verb εἴδω (eidō, "to see," "to perceive"), denotes a focused and intentional act of seeing. Unlike a mere glance or passive observation, epeîdon implies a directed gaze, a "looking upon" that carries with it a particular disposition or purpose. The base definition "to regard (favorably or otherwise)" is crucial, indicating that the act of seeing is imbued with subjective intent—whether of favor, mercy, attention, or even judgment. It signifies not just visual perception, but a deeper engagement of the one who looks with the object of their gaze, often leading to a specific outcome or action.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While not extensively used in the New Testament, the occurrences of ἐπεῖδον are highly significant, primarily describing divine action:
* **[[Luke 1:25]]**: Elizabeth, in her joy over conceiving John the Baptist, declares, "Thus the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my reproach among people." Here, epeîdon clearly conveys God's merciful and benevolent attention. His "looking upon" Elizabeth was an act of divine intervention that removed her shame and fulfilled His promise. It underscores God's personal care and active involvement in the lives of His faithful.
* **[[Acts 4:29]]**: In the early church's prayer for boldness amidst persecution, they appeal to God, saying, "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your word with all boldness." This usage demonstrates a plea for divine awareness and intervention. The apostles are asking God not merely to see, but to take notice of the threats, implying a request for His protective hand, empowering presence, or even righteous judgment against their oppressors. It reflects a profound trust in God's active governance and His attentiveness to the plight of His people.
* **[[Acts 13:47]]**: Paul and Barnabas quote from [[Isaiah 49:6]] when declaring their mission to the Gentiles: "For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" The Septuagint (LXX) uses ἐπεῖδον in Isaiah 49:6 for the Hebrew נָתַן (nathan, "to give" or "to set"), where God declares He has "given" or "appointed" His servant as a light. In this context, epeîdon (as rendered in the LXX and quoted in Acts) signifies God's deliberate and purposeful gaze upon His servant (Christ and, by extension, His church) to establish a redemptive mission for all nations. It speaks to God's sovereign plan and the intentionality behind His universal salvific purpose.
In all these instances, epeîdon describes God's active, intentional, and consequential gaze, whether in mercy, watchful care, or redemptive purpose.
### Related Words & Concepts
Ἐπεῖδον stands in relation to, yet distinct from, other Greek verbs of seeing:
* `{{G3708}}` (horáō): A general term for seeing or perceiving, often without specific intent.
* `{{G991}}` (blépō): To look, see, or discern, often with an emphasis on mental perception or caution.
* `{{G2334}}` (theoréō): To gaze, contemplate, or observe intently, often with a sense of wonder or careful study.
* `{{G4648}}` (skopéō): To look intently at, consider, or examine with a specific aim.
What distinguishes epeîdon is the prefixed ἐπί, which adds a directional and often intensified nuance. It's not merely seeing, but "looking *upon*" or "regarding," implying a relationship between the observer and the observed that carries significance and often leads to action. The concept of divine "regard" or "attention" is central, whether it manifests as favor, oversight, or a precursor to intervention. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew equivalent `{{H7200}}` (ra'ah, "to see") can also carry this sense of divine attention or judgment, particularly when God "sees" the affliction of His people or the sin of humanity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐπεῖδον lies primarily in its portrayal of God's active and purposeful engagement with His creation.
1. **Divine Providence and Mercy**: The use in [[Luke 1:25]] powerfully illustrates God's compassionate nature. His "looking upon" Elizabeth demonstrates His personal interest in human suffering and His sovereign power to intervene with mercy and fulfill His promises. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not distant but intimately involved in the lives of His people, particularly in their deepest needs.
2. **God's Attentiveness to Prayer**: The appeal in [[Acts 4:29]] highlights the conviction that God hears and "looks upon" the prayers and circumstances of His servants. This implies a divine response, whether through protection, empowerment, or righteous judgment against adversaries. It reinforces the believer's confidence in God's active governance and His faithfulness to those who call upon Him.
3. **Sovereign Redemptive Purpose**: In [[Acts 13:47]], quoting Isaiah, epeîdon points to God's eternal and unfolding plan for salvation. His "looking upon" His servant to be a light to the Gentiles reveals His universal redemptive intent, demonstrating that His saving grace is not limited to one people but extends to all nations. This underscores the expansive nature of God's love and His determined will to bring salvation to the ends of the earth through Christ.
In essence, epeîdon reveals a dynamic God who is not passive but actively engages with the world, directing His gaze with specific intent and bringing about His purposes, whether in individual lives or in the grand sweep of redemptive history.
### Summary
Ἐπεῖδον (epeîdon) is a Greek verb signifying a focused and intentional "looking upon" or "regarding," derived from ἐπί (upon) and εἴδω (to see). It implies a gaze that is imbued with purpose or disposition, whether favorable, attentive, or otherwise. In the New Testament, its rare but significant occurrences consistently describe God's active and purposeful attention: demonstrating His merciful intervention in [[Luke 1:25]], His attentive response to the prayers of His people in [[Acts 4:29]], and His sovereign redemptive purpose for the Gentiles in [[Acts 13:47]]. Theologically, epeîdon underscores God's personal providence, His attentiveness to the cries of His servants, and His overarching plan for salvation, revealing a God who is intimately engaged and purposefully active in the affairs of humanity.
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