Original Word: ἐποπτεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epopteuó
Pronunciation: eh-pop-tyoo'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-opt-yoo'-o)
Definition: To observe, to oversee, to watch over
Meaning: I am an eyewitness of, behold, look upon.

observe

From epi and a derivative of optanomai; to inspect, i.e. Watch -- behold.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK optanomai

Word Origin
from epoptés
Definition
to look upon
NASB Translation
observe (2).

STRONGS NT 2029: ἐποπτεύω

ἐποπτεύω (participle 1 Peter 2:12 L T Tr WH); 1 aorist participle ἐποπτεύσαντες;

1. to be an overseer (Homer, Hesiod).

2. universally, to look upon, view attentively; to watch (Aeschylus, Demosthenes, others): τί, 1 Peter 3:2; ἐκ τίνος, namely, τήν ἀναστροφήν, 1 Peter 2:12.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek words ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "over") and ὀπτεύω (opteuō, meaning "to look" or "to observe").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐποπτεύω, similar concepts of watching or overseeing can be found in Hebrew words such as:

- שָׁמַר (shamar, Strong's Hebrew 8104): To keep, guard, observe, give heed.
- רָאָה (ra'ah, Strong's Hebrew 7200): To see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.

These Hebrew terms convey the idea of careful observation and oversight, akin to the Greek ἐποπτεύω, and are used throughout the Old Testament to describe God's watchful care over His people and the responsibility of leaders to oversee their communities.

Usage: The verb ἐποπτεύω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of observing or watching over something or someone with careful attention. It implies a sense of oversight or supervision, often with a moral or ethical dimension.

Context: The Greek verb ἐποπτεύω appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize careful observation or oversight. It is used to describe the act of watching over others, often with a sense of responsibility or moral scrutiny. This term is found in 1 Peter 2:12 and 1 Peter 3:2, where it conveys the idea of non-believers observing the conduct of Christians.

In 1 Peter 2:12, the apostle Peter exhorts believers to maintain honorable conduct among the Gentiles, so that "when they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us" (BSB). Here, ἐποπτεύω underscores the importance of living a life that withstands scrutiny and leads others to glorify God.

Similarly, in 1 Peter 3:2, the term is used in the context of wives winning over their unbelieving husbands through their "pure and reverent behavior" (BSB). The use of ἐποπτεύω in this passage highlights the power of a godly example to influence others positively.

The concept of ἐποπτεύω aligns with the broader biblical theme of living a life that reflects God's character and draws others to Him. It emphasizes the importance of integrity and the impact of one's actions on observers, particularly those outside the faith community.

εποπτευοντες ἐποπτεύοντες εποπτευσαντες εποπτεύσαντες ἐποπτεύσαντες επόψη επόψομαι επόψονται epopteuontes epopteúontes epopteusantes epopteúsantesInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts