2214. zétésis

Lexicon

zétésis: Inquiry, debate, questioning, dispute

Original Word: ζήτησις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: zétésis
Pronunciation: dzay'-tay-sis
Phonetic Spelling: (dzay'-tay-sis)
Definition: Inquiry, debate, questioning, dispute
Meaning: a question, debate, controversy; a seeking, search.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

question, speculation

From zeteo; a searching (properly, the act), i.e. A dispute or its theme -- question.

see GREEK zeteo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2214 zḗtēsis (a feminine noun) – a meaningless question to investigate a specific practice (as the outgrowth of a principle). See 2212 (zēteō).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from zéteó
Definition
a search, questioning
NASB Translation
controversial questions (1), controversies (1), debate (2), discussion (1), how to investigate (1), speculations (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2214: ἐκζήτησις

ἐκζήτησις (ἐκζητέω, which see), ἐκζητησεως, ἡ;

1. an investigating.

2. a subject of subtle inquiry and dispute (R. V. questioning): 1 Timothy 1:4 T Tr (WH; see Ellicott at the passage and cf. οἰκονομία). (Basil Caesar., Didymus of Alexandria (circa ).)

STRONGS NT 2214: ζήτησιςζήτησις, ζητήσεως, ἡ (ζητέω);

a. a seeking: (Herodotus), Thucydides 8, 57; others;

b. inquiry (German dieFrage): περί τίνος, Acts 25:20.

c. a questioning, debate: Acts 15:2 (for Rec. συζήτησις); 7 T Tr text WH; περί τίνος, John 3:25.

d. a subject of questioning or debate, matter of controversy: 1 Timothy 1:4 R G L; ; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from ζητέω (zēteō), meaning "to seek" or "to inquire."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ζήτησις, similar concepts of inquiry and debate can be found in Hebrew words such as דָּרַשׁ (darash, Strong's Hebrew 1875), which means "to seek" or "to inquire," and רִיב (rib, Strong's Hebrew 7379), meaning "dispute" or "controversy." These terms reflect the broader biblical theme of seeking understanding and the potential for disputes within religious and communal life.

Usage: The word ζήτησις is used in the New Testament to describe discussions or debates, often in the context of religious or philosophical inquiries. It can carry a neutral connotation of seeking understanding or a negative connotation when referring to contentious disputes.

Context: The term ζήτησις appears in the New Testament in contexts that highlight the nature of human inquiry and debate, particularly in religious settings. It is used to describe the discussions and disputes that arise from differing interpretations of doctrine or practice. In the early Christian communities, such debates were common as believers sought to understand and apply the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

In Acts 15:2, ζήτησις is used to describe the significant debate that arose in the early church regarding the necessity of circumcision for Gentile converts: "And after much discussion, Peter got up and said to them..." (BSB). This instance illustrates how ζήτησις can be part of a process leading to greater clarity and unity within the church.

In 1 Timothy 1:4, Paul warns against engaging in "myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith" (BSB). Here, ζήτησις is associated with fruitless debates that distract from the core message of the gospel.

Similarly, in Titus 3:9, Paul advises to "avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the Law, because these are unprofitable and useless" (BSB). This usage underscores the potential for ζήτησις to become a source of division rather than edification.

The term ζήτησις, therefore, serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment in discussions, encouraging believers to focus on constructive dialogue that builds up the faith community rather than engaging in disputes that lead to division.

Forms and Transliterations

εκζητησεις ἐκζητήσεις ζητησεις ζητήσεις ζητησεως ζητήσεως ζητησιν ζήτησιν ζητησις ζήτησις ζιβύνας ζιβύνην ekzeteseis ekzetḗseis ekzētēseis ekzētḗseis zeteseis zetḗseis zētēseis zētḗseis zeteseos zetḗseos zētēseōs zētḗseōs zetesin zētēsin zḗtesin zḗtēsin zetesis zētēsis zḗtesis zḗtēsis

Englishman's Concordance

John 3:25 N-NFS
GRK: Ἐγένετο οὖν ζήτησις ἐκ τῶν
NAS: there arose a discussion on the part of John's
KJV: there arose a question between
INT: Arose then a question of the

Acts 15:2 N-GFS
GRK: στάσεως καὶ ζητήσεως οὐκ ὀλίγης
NAS: dissension and debate with them, [the brethren] determined
INT: a commotion and discussion not a little

Acts 15:7 N-GFS
GRK: Πολλῆς δὲ ζητήσεως γενομένης ἀναστὰς
NAS: much debate, Peter
INT: of much moreover discussion having taken place having risen up

Acts 25:20 N-AFS
GRK: περὶ τούτων ζήτησιν ἔλεγον εἰ
NAS: Being at a loss how to investigate such
KJV: manner of questions, I asked
INT: concerning this inquiry asked if

1 Timothy 1:4 N-AFP
GRK: ἀπεράντοις αἵτινες ἐκζητήσεις παρέχουσιν μᾶλλον
KJV: which minister questions, rather than
INT: endless which questionings bring rather

1 Timothy 6:4 N-AFP
GRK: νοσῶν περὶ ζητήσεις καὶ λογομαχίας
NAS: but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words,
KJV: about questions and
INT: unhealthy about questions and disputes of words

2 Timothy 2:23 N-AFP
GRK: καὶ ἀπαιδεύτους ζητήσεις παραιτοῦ εἰδὼς
NAS: and ignorant speculations, knowing
KJV: and unlearned questions avoid, knowing
INT: and undisciplined questionings refuse knowing

Titus 3:9 N-AFP
GRK: μωρὰς δὲ ζητήσεις καὶ γενεαλογίας
NAS: foolish controversies and genealogies
KJV: foolish questions, and
INT: foolish moreover controversies and genealogies

Strong's Greek 2214
8 Occurrences

ἐκζητήσεις — 1 Occ.
ζητήσεις — 3 Occ.
ζητήσεως — 2 Occ.
ζήτησιν — 1 Occ.
ζήτησις — 1 Occ.