Lexical Summary atenizó: To gaze intently, to look steadfastly Original Word: ἀτενίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stare, fasten eyes, look stedfastly. From a compound of a (as a particle of union) and teino (to stretch); to gaze intently -- behold earnestly (stedfastly), fasten (eyes), look (earnestly, stedfastly, up stedfastly), set eyes. see GREEK a HELPS Word-studies 816 atenízō (from teinō, "to stretch, strain," prefixed by "intensive alpha," 1 /A) – properly, completely fixed (fixated); to stare at because fully occupied with ("taken by"); to observe with great interest and a fastened (fixed) gaze; "to fix one’s eyes on some object continually and intensely – 'to look straight at, to stare at, to keep one's eyes fixed on' " (L & N, 1, 24.49). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a cop. prefix) and teinó (to stretch, extend) Definition to look fixedly, gaze NASB Translation fixed (1), fixed...gaze (4), fixing...gaze (2), gaze (1), gazed intently (1), gazing intently (1), look intently (2), looking intently (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 816: ἀτενίζωἀτενίζω; 1 aorist ἠτενισα; (from ἀτενής stretched, intent, and this from τείνω and ἆ intensive; (yet cf. Winers Grammar, § 16, 4; Buttmann, a. at the end, and under the word Alfa Α, ἆ, 3)); to fix the eyes on, gaze upon: with the dative of person, Luke 4:20; Luke 22:58; Acts 3:12; Acts 10:4; Acts 14:9; Acts 23:1; followed by εἰς with an accusative of person, Acts 3:4; Acts 6:15; Acts 13:9; metaphorically, to fix one's mind on one as an example, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 9, 2 [ET]; εἰς τί, Acts 1:10; Acts 7:55; 2 Corinthians 3:7, 13; εἰς τί, to look into anything, Acts 11:6. (3Macc. 2:26. (Aristotle), Polybius 6, 11, 5 (i. e. 6, 11a, 12 Dindorf); Diodorus 3, 39 (Dindorf ἐνατενίζω); Josephus, b. j. 5, 12, 3; Lucian, cont. 16, others.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 816 depicts a deliberate, unwavering gaze that engages both mind and heart. Throughout the New Testament the term marks critical moments when the Holy Spirit arrests a person’s attention, awakens perception, or empowers bold testimony. Whether directed toward Jesus, heavenly realities, or human faces, this steadfast look repeatedly signals revelation, conviction, and decisive action. Occurrences in Luke–Acts Luke employs the word thirteen times, and every use heightens a pivotal turning point. Pauline Usage in 2 Corinthians Only two other New Testament texts employ the verb, both in the same paragraph. Twice Paul contrasts Israel’s inability “to gaze at the face of Moses” (2 Corinthians 3:7, 13) with the unveiled, transformative sight granted in Christ. The steadfast look now belongs to the new-covenant community, culminating in beholding “the glory of the Lord” (3:18, where a cognate term occurs). Spiritual Dynamics of a Steadfast Gaze 1. Revelation – The word often precedes disclosure: Stephen sees Jesus; Cornelius receives angelic instruction; Peter apprehends a healing opportunity. Historical Background In Hellenistic rhetoric, direct eye contact signified confidence and veracity, while in Greco-Roman religion a steady gaze often preceded epiphanies. Luke repurposes that cultural expectation, showing that genuine revelation arises from the risen Christ, not pagan mystery. The motif also resonates with Hebrew Scripture, where prophets “set their face” toward a task (for example, Isaiah 50:7), preparing readers for Jesus’ resolute journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51, narrative echo). Christological Observations The first instance after His public reading (Luke 4:20) and the last recorded earthly moment before His ascension (Acts 1:10) are framed by this intent gaze. Together they bracket Luke’s portrait of the Lord’s mission: Scripture fulfilled, mission accomplished, eyes fixed on the returning Christ. Implications for Ministry and Discipleship • Compassionate Focus – Like Peter at the Beautiful Gate, believers meet felt needs when they truly see people. Intertextual Echoes with the Old Testament The Israelites’ inability to keep looking at Moses’ fading glory contrasts sharply with the church’s unveiled sight of Christ’s surpassing glory. Thus the verb underlines continuity and escalation in redemptive history: the God who once veiled His glory now invites an open, transforming gaze through the gospel. Conclusion Across narrative, epistolary, and theological contexts, Strong’s 816 consistently signals moments when God pierces ordinary vision, empowering His servants to perceive truth, proclaim Christ, and persevere in hope. To “look intently” is therefore more than a physical act; it is a Spirit-enabled posture that beholds divine glory and embodies bold witness until faith becomes sight. Forms and Transliterations ατενιζετε ατενίζετε ἀτενίζετε ατενιζοντες ατενίζοντες ἀτενίζοντες ατενισαι ατενίσαι ἀτενίσαι ατενισαντες ατενίσαντες ἀτενίσαντες ατενισας ατενίσας ἀτενίσας ατενισασα ατενίσασα ἀτενίσασα atenisai atenísai atenisantes atenísantes atenisas atenísas atenisasa atenísasa atenizete atenízete atenizontes atenízontesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 4:20 V-PPA-NMPGRK: συναγωγῇ ἦσαν ἀτενίζοντες αὐτῷ NAS: in the synagogue were fixed on Him. KJV: in the synagogue were fastened on him. INT: synagogue were fixed upon him Luke 22:56 V-APA-NFS Acts 1:10 V-PPA-NMP Acts 3:4 V-APA-NMS Acts 3:12 V-PIA-2P Acts 6:15 V-APA-NMP Acts 7:55 V-APA-NMS Acts 10:4 V-APA-NMS Acts 11:6 V-APA-NMS Acts 13:9 V-APA-NMS Acts 14:9 V-APA-NMS Acts 23:1 V-APA-NMS 2 Corinthians 3:7 V-ANA 2 Corinthians 3:13 V-ANA Strong's Greek 816 |
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