Word Study for G872 (ἀφοράω)

aphoráō /af-or-ah'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἀπό and ὁράω

Meaningto consider attentively

KJV usagelook.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of aphoráō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word aphoráō, represented by G872, is derived from ἀπό and ὁράω and means to consider attentively. This specific term is notably rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, highlighting its focused and significant application.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single use of G872 is found in a pivotal command to believers. In Hebrews 12:2, the audience is instructed on how to run the race of faith: by looking unto Jesus. This is not a passive glance but an intentional, attentive focus directed toward Jesus, who is identified as the "author and finisher of our faith." The act of looking away from distractions and fixing one's gaze on Christ is presented as the essential method for spiritual endurance.

Related Words & Concepts

The context of Hebrews 12:2 provides several words that illuminate the meaning of G872:

G747 archēgós (author): This term, meaning "a chief leader," establishes Jesus as the originator or prince of the believer's salvation and faith (Hebrews 12:2, Acts 3:15).
G5051 teleiōtḗs (finisher): Defined as "a completer, i.e. consummater," this word works in tandem with "author" to show that Jesus not only starts our faith but also brings it to its ultimate completion Hebrews 12:2.
G5278 hypoménō (endure): Meaning "to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere," this is the action Jesus himself modeled. He endured the cross, providing the supreme example for those who look to him Hebrews 12:2.
G152 aischýnē (shame): This word for "shame or disgrace" is what Jesus despised in his act of endurance, showing that the focus on the future joy overcomes present disgrace Hebrews 12:2.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G872 is concentrated in its single, powerful usage. It instructs believers on the foundation of their spiritual life and perseverance.

The Object of Faith: The command to "look" G872 directs the believer's attention exclusively to Jesus G2424. He is the sole object of this focus because He is both the author G747 and finisher G5051 of faith Hebrews 12:2.
The Pattern for Endurance: The verse presents a clear motivation for this focused gaze. We look to Jesus as our example, who, for the joy G5479 before Him, endured G5278 the cross G4716. His perseverance through suffering becomes the blueprint for our own.
The Vision of Exaltation: The act of looking also directs our attention to Christ's ultimate victory. After despising the shame G152, He is now set down G2523 at the right hand G1188 of the throne G2362 of God G2316, a position of supreme power and authority.

Summary

In summary, G872 is much more than a simple verb for "look." In its solitary biblical appearance, it encapsulates the core discipline of the Christian life: a continuous, attentive focus on the person and work of Jesus Christ. This intentional gaze provides the pattern for endurance, the motivation to overcome shame, and the ultimate hope of sharing in Christ's victory and exaltation.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Active Subjunctive 1st Singular 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Hebrews — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.