Lexical Summary ekzeteo: To seek out, to search diligently, to inquire earnestly. Original Word: ἐκζητέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance enquire, seek after diligently. From ek and zeteo; to search out, i.e. (figuratively)investigate, crave, demand, (by Hebraism) worship -- en- (re-)quire, seek after (carefully, diligently). see GREEK ek see GREEK zeteo HELPS Word-studies 1567 ekzētéō (from 1537 /ek, "out from and to" and 2212 /zētéō, "seek") – properly, seek out, emphasizing the personal intent of the seeker, i.e. the outcome intensely and personally desired by the seeker. This seeking is only as valuable (viable) as the motive which drives it. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1567: ἐκζητέωἐκζητέω, ἐκζήτω; 1 aorist ἐξεζήτησα; passive, 1 aorist ἐξεζητήθην; 1 future ἐκζητηθήσομαι; (ἐκ out from a secret place, from all sides); the Sept. very often for דָּרַשׁ, also for בִּקֵּשׁ, etc.; a. to seek out, search for: properly, τινα, 1 Macc. 9:26; figuratively: τόν κύριον, τόν Θεόν, to seek the favor of God, worship him, Acts 15:17; Romans 3:11 (Tr marginal reading WH marginal reading ζητῶν); Hebrews 11:6 (Psalm 13:2 b. to seek out i. e. investigate, scrutinize: τί, Sir. 39:1, 3; περί τίνος, to examine into anything, 1 Peter 1:10, where it is joined with ἐξερευναν (to seek out and search out), as in 1 Macc. 9:26. c. to seek out for oneself, beg, crave: Hebrews 12:17. d. to demand back, require: τό αἷμα τῶν προφητῶν ἀπό τῆς γενεάς ταύτης, to take vengeance on this generation for the slaughter of the prophets (after the Hebrew, cf. 2 Samuel 4:11; Ezekiel 3:18; see ἐκ, I. 7): Luke 11:50 (51). (In secular authors thus far only a single passage has been noted in which this word appears, Aristid. or. 8, i., p. 488 (i. e. orat. 38, i., p. 726, Dindorf edition).) Strong’s Greek 1567 portrays an intensified form of “seeking.” It expresses more than curiosity; it conveys deliberate, persevering pursuit until the desired object or answer is attained. The verb appears seven times in the New Testament and always carries moral or spiritual weight. Whether used in blessing sought and missed (Hebrews 12:17), divine recompense for shed blood (Luke 11:50-51), or the believer’s quest for God (Hebrews 11:6), the word underscores purposeful resolve. Old Testament Roots The idea of earnest seeking is deeply embedded in Israel’s Scriptures. Hebrew verbs such as dāraš (“inquire, investigate”) and bāqaš (“seek diligently”) often describe wholehearted pursuit of the Lord or His will (Deuteronomy 4:29; Psalm 105:4; Amos 5:4). The Septuagint translators regularly employed ἐκζητέω to render those Hebrew terms, thereby connecting covenant faithfulness with determined inquiry. In Acts 15:17 James cites Amos 9:12, retaining the stronger Greek form to emphasize God-given zeal among the nations: “so that the rest of men may seek the Lord”. Occurrences in the New Testament • Luke 11:50-51 – Christ announces that the blood of the prophets “will be charged against this generation.” The verb conveys God’s active demand for accountability; judgment will not rest until righteousness is satisfied. • Acts 15:17 – The Jerusalem Council hears that redeemed Gentiles will “seek the Lord.” Earnest pursuit is envisioned as the natural response to messianic restoration. • Romans 3:11 – “There is no one who seeks God”. Here Paul cites Psalm 14 to expose universal sin; apart from grace humanity does not initiate this intensive seeking. • Hebrews 11:6 – Faith-filled believers “earnestly seek Him” and are rewarded. The verse converts what Romans 3:11 denies into gospel possibility: grace enables genuine pursuit. • Hebrews 12:17 – Esau “could find no place for repentance, though he sought it with tears.” His frantic search shows that late, self-centered remorse cannot substitute for earlier obedience. • 1 Peter 1:10 – Prophets “searched and investigated carefully” concerning salvation. Their exhaustive study models Scripture-fed longing for Christ. Exegetical Insights 1. Direction: The object of the verb alternates between God’s person (Acts 15:17; Hebrews 11:6), God’s will or blessing (Hebrews 12:17), and divine retribution (Luke 11:50-51). Each context highlights intensity. 2. Agency: The verb may describe human activity (positive or negative) or divine action. In Luke 11 the Lord Himself “requires” justice, demonstrating that God seeks with unrelenting resolve what His holiness demands. 3. Tenses and Aspects: The aorist (e.g., ἐξεζήτησαν in 1 Peter 1:10) looks at a completed search, while the present participle (ἐκζητῶν in Romans 3:11) characterizes ongoing endeavor. The morphology reinforces the theological point being made in each setting. Interplay with the Character of God Because God is both the One sought and the One who seeks justice, the verb reveals complementary qualities in His nature—gracious self-disclosure that invites pursuit, and righteous sovereignty that pursues accountability. The cross joins both motifs: at Calvary the offended Judge requires payment for sin, yet through that same act sinners are drawn to “seek the Lord.” Contrast Between Genuine and Spurious Seeking Hebrews 11:6 and 12:17 offer a deliberate juxtaposition. Faith-driven seekers receive reward; fleshly, belated seekers are rejected. The narrative of Esau warns that passion alone cannot substitute for repentance. Authentic seeking is marked by humility, submission to God’s revelation, and timely obedience. Ministry Enrichment • Evangelism: Acts 15:17 assures that a harvest of Gentiles will arise who “may seek the Lord.” This promise fuels missionary confidence and prayer. • Discipleship: Hebrews 11:6 calls believers to cultivate persistent pursuit of God, trusting His readiness to reward diligent seekers. • Preaching: Luke 11:50-51 anchors prophetic warnings in God’s unwavering demand for justice, balancing messages of grace with holy accountability. Practical Application for the Church Today 1. Encourage corporate and private disciplines—prayer, fasting, Scripture meditation—that embody earnest seeking. Related Terms and Comparative Notes • ζητέω (Strong’s 2212) – general “seek”; lacks the intensive prefix. Summary Strong’s Greek 1567 depicts resolute, all-in pursuit—whether God’s pursuit of justice or the believer’s pursuit of God Himself. Scripture links such seeking to faith, prophetic inquiry, missionary expansion, and divine judgment. The church, therefore, is called to foster earnest, timely, Spirit-enabled searching that culminates in reward and glory to God. Englishman's Concordance Luke 11:50 V-ASP-3SGRK: ἵνα ἐκζητηθῇ τὸ αἷμα NAS: of the world, may be charged against KJV: of the world, may be required of INT: that might be required the blood Luke 11:51 V-FIP-3S Acts 15:17 V-ASA-3P Romans 3:11 V-PPA-NMS Hebrews 11:6 V-PPA-DMP Hebrews 12:17 V-APA-NMS 1 Peter 1:10 V-AIA-3P Strong's Greek 1567 |
    |