ἐπεῖδεν

I looked upon, regarded

Definition

ἐπεῖδεν is a Greek verb meaning 'to look upon,' 'to regard,' or 'to notice with focused attention.' It often implies more than a casual glance, suggesting a deliberate act of observation that leads to recognition or a response. In Luke 1:25, it describes God 'looking upon' Elizabeth to remove her disgrace, indicating a gracious, intervening gaze. In Acts 4:29, believers pray for God to 'look upon' the threats of their enemies, asking for divine notice and action against opposition.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only twice in the New Testament, both in narratives involving prayer and divine intervention. In Luke 1:25, it appears in the context of God's miraculous care for Elizabeth. In Acts 4:29, it is used in a corporate prayer of the early church for boldness and protection. Both instances involve a plea or acknowledgment of God's attentive regard in situations of human need or threat.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning 'upon') and the verb εἶδον (eidon, an aorist form of 'to see'). It literally means 'to look upon' or 'to gaze at.' It is a compound verb that intensifies the act of seeing, emphasizing directed attention.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it portrays God's active, personal attention to human circumstances. In both key passages, it is associated with God's responsive grace—first in granting a child (Luke 1:25), and second in empowering witness amidst persecution (Acts 4:29). Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting that biblical prayer often calls for God's specific, noticing gaze, which precedes His powerful intervention.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, the concept of a deity 'looking upon' someone often carried connotations of favor, judgment, or intervention. This differs from a modern, more passive understanding of 'noticing.' In the biblical context, especially in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), God 'looking upon' His people is a recurring theme of covenantal care and salvation, which informs its New Testament usage.

βλέπω (blepō, G991) — a more general term for seeing or perceiving physically; ὁράω (horaō, G3708) — often used for seeing in a wider sense, including spiritual perception; ἐμβλέπω (emblepō, G1689) — to look intently or gaze into, emphasizing close examination.

Word Details

Scripture References