Greek word · G199

ἀκριβῶς

akribōs

exactly

Accurately, carefully, precisely, in exact detail; used of careful investigation, exact knowledge, strict observance.

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 30, 2026

What it means

ἀκριβῶς

with exactness, carefully: Matthew 2:8, Luke 1:3, Acts 18:25, Ephesians 5:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (M, Th., in l). Compar., ἀκριβέστερον (Milligan, NTD, 111; MM, VGT, see word), Acts 18:26 23:15, 20 24:22.†

(AS)

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

Range of meaning: Accurately, carefully, precisely, in exact detail; used of careful investigation, exact knowledge, strict observance.
Against the English: 'Fully aware' (BSB), 'perfectly' (KJV: in older English 'thoroughly'), 'well' (WEB). All are fair, but they lose the sense of exactness, and with it the irony.
How it drifted: KJV 'perfectly' meant 'thoroughly, completely' in 1611; today it can sound like a flawless or complete understanding.
Used elsewhere in the period: Luke 1:3 (Luke 'having followed all things accurately'); Acts 18:25-26 (Apollos taught 'accurately', Priscilla and Aquila explained 'more accurately'); Eph 5:15 ('look carefully how you walk'). Common in historians such as Thucydides and Josephus for careful, exact knowledge.

Range of meaning: Accurately, precisely, exactly, strictly. It is the language of careful inquiry, exact knowledge and strict observance.
Against the English: KJV 'circumspectly' (from Latin 'looking around') was a reasonable choice in 1611. Today it suggests wariness, discretion or playing it safe. BSB/WEB/ESV 'carefully' is closer. YLT 'how exactly' is the most literal. The Greek points to precision and accuracy more than to caution.
How it drifted: The KJV word followed the Latin tradition (the Vulgate has 'caute', 'cautiously'). Over time English 'circumspect' has come to mean prudent, reserved or avoiding risk, which shifts the idea from 'exact' to 'guarded'.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the NT: Matt 2:8 'search carefully'; Luke 1:3, where Luke investigated everything 'accurately'; Acts 18:25 Apollos taught 'accurately'; 1 Thess 5:2 'you know accurately'. The related noun ἀκρίβεια describes Pharisaic strictness (Acts 22:3; 26:5, 'the strictest party'). Josephus says the Pharisees were reputed to interpret the laws 'with exactness' (War 2.162).

Range of meaning: Accurately, exactly or precisely; also carefully or strictly. The related adjective akribēs and noun akribeia were used for exact knowledge and strict observance (Acts 22:3; 26:5 of Pharisaic strictness).
Against the English: BSB, WEB and ESV 'accurately' and YLT 'exactly' are right. KJV 'diligently' moves the sense from correctness to effort. The supplied gloss 'earnestly' does the same and is weaker than the evidence supports.
How it drifted: The KJV follows a Latin tradition (the Vulgate has 'diligenter'), where 'diligently' meant 'with care' as much as 'with effort'. Today's reader hears hard work, not correctness.
Used elsewhere in the period: Luke 1:3: Luke has followed everything 'carefully/accurately' (akribōs). Ephesians 5:15 says 'walk carefully'. Josephus and Greek historians use akribeia for exact, verified knowledge.

Matthew · 1

Matthew 2:8 ἀκριβῶς carefully

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: "Precisely." It echoes 2:7, where Herod "learned exactly" (ēkribōsen, the related verb) the time of the star. Herod wants precise data: first the time, now the place and the child.

Luke · 1

Luke 1:3 ἀκριβῶς carefully

Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

Here: A word of precision that ancient historians liked to use. Grammatically it most likely goes with 'having followed' (followed accurately), though some attach it to 'write'.

Acts · 1

Acts 18:25 ἀκριβῶς earnestly

He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.

Here: His teaching about Jesus was correct and carefully done. It sets up a play on words in v. 26: Priscilla and Aquila explain the Way to him 'more accurately' (akribesteron).

Ephesians · 1

Ephesians 5:15 ἀκριβῶς carefully

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Here: The idea is exactness and precision, the care of an accurate investigator or a strict interpreter of the law, not timid caution. In the best-attested word order it most naturally describes the watching: 'look closely, with precision'. It colours the walking too.

1 Thessalonians · 1

1 Thessalonians 5:2 ἀκριβῶς fully

For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

Here: 'With accuracy, in exact detail.' Placed first for weight, and probably a little ironic: what they know with precision is that the date cannot be known with precision.

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