Greek word · G1833

ἐξετάζω

exetazō

to find out

To examine, scrutinise, inquire carefully, check out, test, and in classical military usage to review or inspect troops. It implies probing to verify, not a casual question.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐξ-ετάζω

(ἐτάζω (rare), to examine), [in LXX: Deuteronomy 13:14-15 Deuteronomy 19:18, 1 Chronicles 28:9 A (דָּרַשׁ), דָּרַשׁ), Psalms 11:5-6 (בָּחַן), Wisdom of Solomon 6:3, Sirach 3:21, al. ;]

to examine closely, inquire carefully (of ): before περί (with ἀκριβῶς), Matthew 2:8; before τίς, Matthew 10:11; with accusative of person(s), John 21:12.†

SYN.: ἀνακρίνω, ἐραυνάω (see DCG, ii, 594b) (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of John 21:12

Range of meaning

To examine, scrutinise, inquire carefully, check out, test, and in classical military usage to review or inspect troops. It implies probing to verify, not a casual question.

Against the English

"Ask" (BSB, KJV, NIV, ESV) is softer than the Greek. NASB's "question" and WEB/YLT's "inquire" come closer. The point is that none of them would interrogate him to confirm his identity.

Used elsewhere in the period

Only three uses in the New Testament: Matt 2:8 (Herod: "search carefully for the child"); Matt 10:11 ("inquire who in it is worthy"); and here. Wisdom of Solomon 6:3 uses it of God who "will search out your works."

From the study of Matthew 10:11

Range of meaning

To examine closely, scrutinize, question thoroughly, inquire carefully. It was used for judicial questioning, testing and careful investigation. The 'ex-' prefix strengthens the simple verb etazō ('to examine'), so the sense is 'to examine thoroughly'.

Against the English

BSB, WEB and NIV 'find out' or 'search' are fine. KJV 'enquire' is also accurate. Some readers might take 'find out' to mean simply asking a passer-by. The Greek suggests a more deliberate check.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Matthew 2:8 Herod tells the magi to 'search carefully' (exetasate, the same form) for the child. In John 21:12 none of the disciples dared to 'question' Jesus. Sirach 11:7 (LXX) says 'Before you examine (exetasēs), do not find fault.' In classical and papyrus Greek it is common for official examination or audit.

From the study of Matthew 2:8

Range of meaning

To examine closely, scrutinise, question, test, verify. It is used of investigations, interrogations, and testing someone's claims or character.

Against the English

"Search" (KJV, BSB, WEB, NIV, ESV, NASB, NLT) suggests physically looking around. The Greek leans more toward inquiry: asking questions and checking facts. YLT's "inquire" is closer.

Used elsewhere in the period

In classical Greek it is used for examining witnesses and scrutinising officials (Plato, Thucydides). In the LXX it appears in Sirach 11:7 ("do not find fault before you examine") and Deuteronomy 19:18 (judges investigating a witness). In the NT it occurs in Matthew 10:11 ("inquire who is worthy") and John 21:12 ("none dared to ask him").

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

  1. Matthew 2:8 ἐξετάσατε do search

    And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”

    Here: A command: investigate thoroughly by questioning and checking. It is the vocabulary of a careful inquiry, close to intelligence-gathering.

  2. Matthew 10:11 ἐξετάσατε do inquire

    Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy there and stay at his house until you move on.

    Here: An aorist imperative, a direct and decisive command. It is stronger than 'ask around' and means to look into the matter thoroughly. The disciples are to find out about a host deliberately and not take the first offer.

John · 1

  1. John 21:12 ἐξετάσαι to ask

    “Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord.

    Here: Stronger than a casual "ask": to probe or check someone out. None of them would put him to the test with a verifying question.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.