apparently from ἐρέω (through the idea of inquiry); to seek, i.e. (figuratively) to investigate:--search.
Transliteration:ereunáō
Pronunciation:er-yoo-nah'-o
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G2045 (ἐρευνάω, *ereunáō*) carries the core meaning of "to search," "to investigate," or "to examine diligently." It implies a thorough and careful inquiry, often with the aim of discovering something hidden or understanding something deeply. Unlike a superficial glance, ereunáō suggests a painstaking effort to uncover truth or facts. Its etymological connection to ἐρέω (*eréō*), meaning "to speak" or "to say," suggests a process of inquiry that involves questioning and probing to gain understanding. The semantic range thus encompasses not just a physical search, but also an intellectual and spiritual investigation, a diligent and purposeful quest for knowledge or understanding.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G2045 appears a limited number of times in the New Testament, but each occurrence is significant, highlighting different facets of its meaning:
* **[[John 5:39]]**: "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me." Here, Jesus acknowledges the diligent effort of the Jewish leaders in "searching" the Scriptures. The term ereunáō emphasizes their meticulous study. However, Jesus critiques their search not for its lack of diligence, but for its misguided ultimate purpose. They searched for life *within* the texts themselves, rather than recognizing that the texts *testified* to Him, who is the true source of eternal life. This verse underscores that the *object* and *purpose* of the search are paramount.
* **[[John 7:52]]**: "They answered him, 'Are you from Galilee too? Search, and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.'" In this exchange, the Pharisees challenge Nicodemus to "search" the Scriptures, implying that a diligent investigation would confirm their prejudiced belief that no prophet could come from Galilee. This usage again highlights the call to thorough examination, though in this case, it is used to reinforce a preconceived notion rather than to genuinely seek truth.
* **[[Romans 8:27]]**: "And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." This verse attributes the action of "searching hearts" to God (or Christ, depending on the interpretation of "he who searches hearts"). It speaks to divine omniscience and perfect knowledge. God's "searching" is not because He lacks information, but it emphasizes the profound depth and completeness of His understanding of human inner thoughts and intentions.
* **[[1 Corinthians 2:10]]**: "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God." This is a profound theological statement. The Holy Spirit is depicted as the ultimate "searcher" of divine mysteries. The phrase "deep things of God" (τὰ βάθη τοῦ Θεοῦ) refers to the profound and hidden truths of God's nature, plans, and wisdom. The Spirit's ability to "search" these depths signifies His divine nature and His intimate knowledge of God, enabling Him to reveal these truths to believers.
* **[[1 Peter 1:10-11]]**: "Concerning this salvation, the prophets searched and inquired carefully about this salvation that was to be yours, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories." Here, ereunáō describes the diligent and earnest efforts of the Old Testament prophets. They did not passively receive revelation but actively "searched and inquired carefully" (often paired with ἐκζητέω, *ekzēteō* - to seek out thoroughly) to understand the nature and timing of the salvation revealed through Christ. This demonstrates the human effort involved in seeking divine truth, guided by the Spirit.
### Related Words & Concepts
G2045 (ἐρευνάω) is part of a semantic field of words related to seeking and knowing.
* **`{{G2212}}` *zēteō***: A more general term for "to seek" or "to look for," which can be less intensive than ereunáō. While *zēteō* can mean to seek diligently, ereunáō almost always implies a thorough, investigative search.
* **`{{G1830}}` *exetazō***: "To examine," "to inquire," or "to investigate." This word is very close in meaning to ereunáō, often implying a formal or judicial examination.
* **`{{G350}}` *anazēteō***: "To seek up," "to search for," implying a diligent search for something lost or hidden.
* **`{{G1934}}` *epizēteō***: "To seek after," "to desire earnestly."
Concepts closely associated with ereunáō include:
* **Knowledge (γνῶσις, *gnōsis*)**: The outcome of a successful search.
* **Wisdom (σοφία, *sophia*)**: The deeper understanding gained through diligent inquiry.
* **Truth (ἀλήθεια, *alētheia*)**: The ultimate object of a diligent search.
* **Discernment (διάκρισις, *diakrisis*)**: The ability to perceive and distinguish truth, often requiring careful investigation.
* **Revelation (ἀποκάλυψις, *apokalypsis*)**: While God reveals, ereunáō describes the human (or divine Spirit's) active engagement with that revelation.
* **Diligence**: A key characteristic implied by the thoroughness of the search.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of G2045 (ἐρευνάω) is multifaceted and profound:
1. **Human Responsibility in Seeking Truth**: ereunáō underscores the active role believers are called to play in engaging with divine revelation. The command to "search the Scriptures" in [[John 5:39]] is a call to diligent study, not passive reception. While the ultimate source of truth is God, human beings are expected to apply themselves earnestly to understand His Word and His ways. The prophets' diligent search in [[1 Peter 1:10-11]] further exemplifies this dedicated pursuit of divine understanding.
2. **Divine Omniscience and Incomprehensibility**: When applied to God, as in [[Romans 8:27]], ereunáō highlights His perfect and complete knowledge of all things, including the deepest recesses of the human heart. It is not that God needs to search to gain information, but the term emphasizes the thoroughness and profundity of His understanding. Conversely, the "deep things of God" mentioned in [[1 Corinthians 2:10]] suggest that some aspects of God's being and plan are beyond human comprehension without divine assistance.
3. **The Indispensable Role of the Holy Spirit**: Perhaps the most significant theological insight comes from [[1 Corinthians 2:10]], where the Holy Spirit "searches everything, even the deep things of God." This portrays the Spirit as possessing divine knowledge and the unique ability to plumb the very depths of God's nature and purposes. It is through the Spirit that believers can come to understand spiritual truths, which are otherwise inaccessible to the natural mind ([[1 Corinthians 2:14]]). The Spirit's "searching" is the prerequisite for divine revelation to humanity.
4. **The Object of the Search**: The example of [[John 5:39]] serves as a crucial theological warning: diligent searching is insufficient if the object of the search is misplaced. The Jewish leaders diligently searched the Scriptures but missed Christ, to whom the Scriptures testified. True spiritual searching must ultimately lead to Christ, who is the embodiment of truth and the source of eternal life.
### Summary
The Greek verb G2045 (ἐρευνάω, *ereunáō*) signifies a thorough, diligent, and investigative search or examination. It is not a casual inquiry but a painstaking effort to uncover truth or gain deep understanding. In the New Testament, this term illuminates several key theological concepts: it highlights the human responsibility to actively and diligently engage with God's Word ([[John 5:39]], [[1 Peter 1:10-11]]); it underscores the profound omniscience of God, who intimately knows the depths of human hearts ([[Romans 8:27]]); and most significantly, it reveals the unique and indispensable role of the Holy Spirit, who possesses divine knowledge and "searches" even the "deep things of God" to reveal them to believers ([[1 Corinthians 2:10]]). Ultimately, while diligence in searching is commendable, the biblical usage of ereunáō also warns that the ultimate object and purpose of the search must be rightly oriented towards Christ, lest the pursuit of knowledge misses the very source of life itself.
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