STRONGS NT 1896a: ἔπειμιἔπειμι; (ἐπί, and εἰμί to go); to come upon, approach; of time, to come on, be at hand; participle ἐπιών, Ἕπουσα, ἐπον, next, following: τῇ σπιουση, namely, ἡμέρα, on the following day, Acts 16:11; Acts 20:15; Acts 21:18 (Polybius 2, 25, 11; 5, 13, 10; Josephus, Antiquities 3, 1, 6; (Proverbs 27:1); etc.); with ἡμέρα added (as in the earlier writings from Herodotus down), Acts 7:26; τῇ ἐπιούσῃ νυκτί, Acts 23:11. Cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 464.

STRONGS NT 1896: ἐφειδονἐφειδον, see ἐπεῖδόν.

STRONGS NT 1896: ἐφιδεἐφιδε, see ἐπεῖδόν.

Strong’s Greek 1896 depicts an intentional, penetrating gaze. Whether expressed by Elizabeth in her private gratitude or by the Jerusalem church in corporate intercession, the word portrays the Lord “turning His face toward” a situation and responding in covenant faithfulness. Its occurrences frame the opening of the Gospel era and the first persecution-era prayer meeting, underscoring a consistent biblical truth: when God looks, He acts.

Occurrences in Scripture

• Luke 1:25 – In Elizabeth’s testimony the verb anchors her joy: “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” The look of God removes reproach and restores dignity.
• Acts 4:29 – In the believers’ prayer the same verb becomes a petition: “And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness.” The look of God equips His people for fearless witness.

Old Testament Backdrop

The Septuagint repeatedly uses the same verb group when the Lord “looks upon” affliction (Exodus 3:7; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalm 25:18). The New Testament writers draw on this vocabulary to signal continuity: the God who saw Israel’s slavery and Hannah’s barrenness is the same God who notices Elizabeth’s shame and the church’s danger.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Compassion. God’s gaze is never passive. In Luke 1:25 it brings about a miraculous conception and the removal of social stigma, revealing His concern for personal sorrow.
2. Covenant Faithfulness. Both references occur in fulfillment contexts—Luke within the birth narratives and Acts within the expansion of the promised gospel. His “looking” is tied to promises already given.
3. Empowerment for Mission. Acts 4:29 links God’s attention to the granting of boldness. His regard fuels proclamation, not retreat.
4. Vindication and Honor. Elizabeth moves from disgrace to praise; the apostles move from intimidation to fearless speech. The verb therefore signals divine reversal.

Historical and Ministry Significance

• Early Church Liturgies often echoed Acts 4, making the petition “Lord, look upon…” a standard component of corporate prayer for courage under pressure.
• Pastoral Counseling. The term reassures believers that personal shame or societal hostility has not escaped the Lord’s notice; His look precedes His intervention.
• Missions and Evangelism. Acts 4:29 models a prayer strategy that asks first for God’s attentive gaze, then for Spirit-empowered speech—an order worth emulating.
• Worship and Song. Hymn writers have long adopted phrases such as “Look upon me, Lord, in mercy,” drawing directly from this lexical field to invite the congregation into humble expectancy.

Christological and Pneumatological Insight

The One who “saw” Elizabeth’s plight is preparing the forerunner of Messiah; the One whom the church asks to “look” responds with a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31). The verb thus bridges the ministries of the Father, Son, and Spirit, portraying coordinated divine action in salvation history.

Practical Application for Today

• Personal Prayer: Begin requests by consciously inviting God’s attentive gaze; it aligns the heart with His compassionate character.
• Corporate Intercession: Use Acts 4 as a template—present threats or needs, then ask for boldness to continue the mission.
• Spiritual Encouragement: Remind discouraged believers that the Lord’s look transforms both private disgrace and public opposition.
• Leadership Training: Stress that effective ministry springs from confidence in a God who sees and acts, not from human strategy alone.

Conclusion

Strong’s Greek 1896 concentrates a profound biblical motif into two New Testament occurrences: the Lord’s purposeful look. Whether removing the reproach of barrenness or empowering the church to preach under threat, His attentive gaze assures His people that He is present, compassionate, and active in advancing His redemptive plan.