ἀποβλέπω

I look away from, turn my attention to

Definition

ἀποβλέπω means to look away from one thing in order to focus intently on another. It carries the sense of turning one's gaze away from distractions or present circumstances to fix attention on a specific, often future, object or goal. In its single New Testament occurrence in Hebrews 11:26, it describes Moses looking away from the temporary treasures of Egypt to look toward, or fix his eyes upon, the future heavenly reward. The word implies a deliberate, steadfast, and exclusive focus.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 11:26, within the 'Hall of Faith' chapter. It describes the intentional, faith-driven action of Moses, who rejected the immediate, visible wealth of Egypt because he was 'looking away toward' (ἀποβλέπων) the reward from God. The context is one of exemplary faith making a decisive choice based on an unseen, future reality.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἀπό (apo, meaning 'away from') and the verb βλέπω (blepō, meaning 'to look, see'). It literally means 'to look away from.' The compound emphasizes the act of turning one's sight away from something in order to direct it elsewhere, which shaped its meaning of focused, intentional attention.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it encapsulates the essence of biblical faith: a deliberate reorientation of one's life based on unseen, spiritual realities. In Hebrews 11:26, it illustrates that true faith involves actively turning away from worldly values and pleasures to fix one's hope and attention on God's promises and future reward. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting faith as an active, focused gaze, not a passive belief.

In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of fixing one's gaze or attention was associated with philosophical contemplation and single-minded pursuit of a goal. For the original readers of Hebrews, Moses' action would have been understood as a radical, counter-cultural choice, prioritizing an intangible divine promise over immense, immediate material and political power—a powerful model of discipleship.

βλέπω (blepō, G991) — the simple root verb meaning 'to look, see, perceive.'; ἀτενίζω (atenizō, G816) — to look intently, gaze steadily, often with a sense of physical strain or fixed observation (e.g., Acts 1:10).

Word Details

Scripture References