Lexical Summary epiblepó: To look upon, to regard, to gaze at Original Word: ἐπιβλέπω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance look upon, regard, have respect for. From epi and blepo; to gaze at (with favor, pity or partiality) -- look upon, regard, have respect to. see GREEK epi see GREEK blepo HELPS Word-studies 1914 epiblépō (from 1909 /epí, "on, fitting" intensifying 991 /blépō, "look, fix the eyes upon") – properly, look upon with focused attention; give special regard to (apt consideration), as the sight moves the beholder. 1914 /epiblépō ("to regard, respect") suggests a favorable viewing – a "preferred" noticing, giving special attention ("to notice especially," L & N, 1, 24.12). ["This compound verb is common in medical writers for carefully examining the patient" (WP, 2, 134).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epi and blepó Definition to look on (with favor) NASB Translation had regard (1), look (1), pay special attention (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1914: ἐπιβλέπωἐπιβλέπω: 1 aorist ἐπέβλεψα; in the Sept. often for הִבִּיט and פָּנָה, also for רָאָה; to turn the eyes upon, to look upon, gaze upon (ἐπί upon (cf. ἐπί, D. 2)): ἐπί τινα, contextually, to look upon one with a feeling of admiration and respect, to look up to, regard, James 2:3; contextually, to look upon in pity for the sake of giving aid, equivalent to to have regard for, to regard, Luke 9:38 (where for ἐπίβλεψον (RL) and ἐπιβλέψαι (G T) write (with Tr WH ἐπιβλέψαι, 1 aorist active infinitive; cf. Bornemann, Schol. ad loc, and above in δέομαι, 3 a. (also Buttmann, 273 (234) note)); ἐπί τήν ταπείνωσιν τίνος, Luke 1:48; often in the O. T. in the same sense, as 1 Samuel 1:11; 1 Samuel 9:16; Psalm 24:16 Topical Lexicon Essence of the Term Strong’s Greek 1914 conveys the idea of turning the eye toward someone or something with deliberate attention, often carrying an overtone of gracious concern or special regard. The action is more than a casual glance; it is an intentional, value-laden look that recognizes need, worth, or status. Biblical Occurrences 1. Luke 1:48 – In Mary’s Magnificat the term underscores divine condescension: “For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant”. The verb frames the entire song as a celebration of God’s fidelity to humble believers and His covenant promises to Israel. Theological Significance 1. Divine Favor toward the Lowly Practical Ministry Implications • Pastoral Care: Leaders are called to imitate God’s deliberate regard by noticing the overlooked—widows, orphans, newcomers, the economically disadvantaged—and responding with tangible support. Historical Interpretive Notes Early church fathers—Augustine, Chrysostom, and Gregory the Great—consistently tied Luke 1:48 to the doctrine of the Incarnation, arguing that God’s “looking upon” Mary exemplifies His eternal disposition to exalt the humble. Reformation commentators stressed that Luke 1:48 rebukes human merit, while James 2:3 exposes the works of the flesh that creep into redeemed communities. Modern evangelical scholarship continues this trajectory, highlighting God’s countercultural preference for the lowly and the necessity of gospel-shaped social ethics. Related Concepts • χάρις (charis) – grace, the underlying motive of God’s attentive regard. Taken together, the three occurrences portray a consistent scriptural pattern: God’s deliberate gaze upon the humble sets the agenda for Christ’s ministry and establishes the ethical paradigm for His church. Forms and Transliterations επέβλεπον επεβλέψα επέβλεψα επέβλεψαν επέβλεψας επεβλέψατε επέβλεψε επεβλεψεν επέβλεψεν ἐπέβλεψεν επιβλέπειν επιβλέπεις επιβλέπη επιβλεπόμενον επιβλέποντες επιβλέπουσα επιβλέπουσι επιβλέπουσιν επιβλέπων επιβλεψαι επιβλέψαι ἐπιβλέψαι επιβλέψατε επιβλέψει επίβλεψεν επιβλέψη επιβλέψης επιβλεψητε επιβλέψητε ἐπιβλέψητε επιβλέψομαι επίβλεψον επιβλέψονται επιβλέψω epeblepsen epéblepsen epiblepsai epiblépsai epiblepsete epiblepsēte epiblépsete epiblépsēteLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 1:48 V-AIA-3SGRK: ὅτι ἐπέβλεψεν ἐπὶ τὴν NAS: For He has had regard for the humble state KJV: For he hath regarded the low estate INT: For he looked upon the Luke 9:38 V-ANA James 2:3 V-ASA-2P Strong's Greek 1914 |