ἐρευνάω

From the study of John 5:39

Range of meaning

To search thoroughly, track down, examine, probe. Used for searching a house or baggage, for investigating a case, for tracking game, and for probing hidden things. In the New Testament it is used of God searching hearts (Romans 8:27; Revelation 2:23), the Spirit searching the depths of God (1 Corinthians 2:10), and prophets searching to understand (1 Peter 1:11). It means effortful, persistent investigation, not casual reading.

Against the English

KJV 'Search' reads it as a command. Most modern versions read it as a statement: 'You search' (ESV, NASB, WEB), 'You study … diligently' (NIV), 'You pore over' (BSB). 'Pore over' and 'study diligently' capture the intensity well. The real difference between versions is grammatical mood (statement or command), not the meaning of the word.

How it drifted

In the Greek of this period, the present indicative ('you search') and the present imperative ('search!') of this verb are spelled exactly the same, and the Latin Vulgate's scrutamini is ambiguous in the same way. The KJV of 1611 chose the imperative, following a long line of interpreters, and 'Search the scriptures' became a well-known call to Bible study. The 1881 Revised Version changed it to 'Ye search', and most modern translations have followed.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) it is used of Laban searching Jacob's tent (Genesis 31:35) and of the LORD's lamp searching a person's inmost parts (Proverbs 20:27). It is the natural Greek counterpart of the Hebrew dāraš ('seek, inquire'), the root of midrash, the Jewish practice of searching Scripture. Philo uses the word for careful study of the sacred texts. Papyri from this period confirm ἐραυν- as the ordinary spelling.

From the study of Revelation 2:23

Range of meaning

To search, examine, investigate thoroughly, track down. It is used for searching a house or baggage, for investigating a matter, and for studying texts closely (John 5:39; 7:52).

Against the English

'Searches' is accurate. The Greek suggests a thorough probe that finds what is hidden, not a casual look.

Used elsewhere in the period

Papyri use it of officials searching premises. In the Greek Old Testament it appears in Proverbs 20:27, 'the spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching the inner chambers'. Jeremiah 17:10 LXX uses the close synonym ἐτάζων ('examining'). The spelling ἐραυνάω is the ordinary Hellenistic form in papyri of the period. See also Romans 8:27 and 1 Corinthians 2:10.

From the study of 1 Corinthians 2:10

Range of meaning

To search, examine, probe, investigate thoroughly. It is used of searching a house or baggage, examining Scripture (John 5:39), and God 'searching hearts' (Rom 8:27; Rev 2:23). 'Erauna-' is the ordinary spelling of the period for the older 'ereuna-'.

Against the English

English 'searches' usually suggests looking for something you have not yet found. When God or his Spirit is the subject, the word stresses penetrating, exhaustive knowledge: nothing is hidden from the searcher.

How it drifted

Ordinary English 'search' implies ignorance followed by discovery, and this sense can quietly be carried over to the Spirit.

Used elsewhere in the period

Proverbs 20:27 (Greek): 'the LORD's lamp is the breath of humans, which searches the inner chambers of the belly'. Judith 8:14 combines both key words of this verse: 'you cannot find the depth (bathos) of the human heart... how then will you search out (ereunaō) God?' Papyri use related nouns of officials who search goods (Moulton & Milligan).