Quick Definition
ζητέω v. I seek, search for, desire
Strong's Definition
of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
KJV Usage: be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means). Compare 4441
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb | ἀναζητέω · ἐκζητέω · ἐκζήτησις · ἐπιζητέω · ζήτημα · ζήτησις · συζητέω · συζήτησις · συζητητής
27.41 · Learn · Try To Learn
to try to learn where something is, to look for, to try to find to try to learn the location of something, often by movement from place to place in the process of searching
MAT 2:13 · MAT 7:7 · MAT 7:8 · MAT 12:43 · MAT 13:45 · MAT 18:12 · MAT 28:5 · MRK 1:37 · MRK 16:6 · LUK 2:48 · LUK 2:49 · LUK 11:9 · LUK 11:10 · LUK 11:24 · LUK 13:6 · LUK 13:7 · LUK 15:8 · LUK 19:10 · LUK 24:5 · JHN 6:24 · JHN 6:26 · JHN 7:11 · JHN 7:34 · JHN 7:36 · JHN 8:21 · JHN 10:39 · JHN 11:56 · JHN 13:33 · JHN 18:4 · JHN 18:7 · JHN 18:8 · JHN 20:15 · ACT 9:11 · ACT 10:19 · ACT 10:21 · ACT 17:27 · ROM 10:20 · 2TI 1:17 · 1PE 5:8
27.34 · Learn · Try To Learn
to try to learn, to search, to try to find out, to seek information to attempt to learn something by careful investigation or searching
25.9 · Attitudes and Emotions · Desire, Want, Wish
to desire, to want to to desire to have or experience something, with the probable implication of making an attempt to realize one’s desire
MAT 6:33 · LUK 12:29 · LUK 12:31 · JHN 1:38 · JHN 4:23 · JHN 5:18 · JHN 5:30 · JHN 7:4 · JHN 7:20 · JHN 8:40 · JHN 8:50 · JHN 13:33 · ACT 16:10 · 1CO 7:27 · 1CO 7:27 · 1CO 10:24 · 1CO 10:33 · 1CO 13:5 · 1CO 14:12 · GAL 1:10 · GAL 2:17 · PHP 2:21 · COL 3:1 · 1TH 2:6 · HEB 8:7 · REV 9:6
33.167 · Communication · Ask For, Request
to ask earnestly for, to demand to ask for something which is being especially sought For another interpretation of ζητέω in MRK 8:11, see 57.59.
MRK 3:32 · MRK 8:11 · MRK 8:12 · LUK 12:48 · JHN 4:27 · 1CO 4:2 · 2CO 13:3
68.60 · Aspect · Try, Attempt
to seek to do, to try to seek to do something, but without success
MAT 12:46 · MAT 12:47 · MAT 21:46 · MRK 12:12 · LUK 5:18 · LUK 6:19 · LUK 9:9 · LUK 11:16 · LUK 11:29 · LUK 13:24 · LUK 17:33 · LUK 19:3 · LUK 20:19 · JHN 7:1 · JHN 7:19 · JHN 7:25 · JHN 7:30 · JHN 8:37 · JHN 11:8 · JHN 19:12 · ACT 13:8 · ACT 17:5 · ACT 21:31 · ACT 27:30 · ROM 10:3
13.19 · Be, Become, Exist, Happen · State
to attempt to find, to try to be to attempt to attain some state or condition
MAT 26:16 · MAT 26:59 · MRK 14:1 · MRK 14:11 · MRK 14:55 · LUK 22:6 · JHN 7:18 · JHN 7:18 · JHN 8:50 · 1PE 3:11
57.59 · Possess, Transfer, Exchange · Take, Obtain, Gain, Lose
to try to obtain, to attempt to get, to seek to try to obtain something from someone For another interpretation of ζητέω in MRK 8:11, see 33.167.
MRK 8:11 · MRK 8:12 · JHN 5:44 · ACT 13:11 · ROM 2:7 · 1CO 10:24 · 1CO 10:33 · 2CO 12:14 · 1TH 2:6 · HEB 8:7
1 It is possible that ἐπιζητέω[b] focuses somewhat more upon the goal, but such a distinction does not hold for all contexts. 2 MRK 8:11 In MRK 8:11 what is sought is a sign, but obviously this implies that Jesus would have to perform a sign. Nevertheless, the event of producing a sign may be regarded as something which is obtained or acquired.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ζητέω, -d; impf. 3 pers. sing. ἐζήτει, plur. ἐζήτουν ; fut. Qyrngw; 1 aor. ἐζήτησα; Pass., pres. ζητοῦμαι: impf. 3 pers. sing. ἐζητεῖτο (Ileb. viii. 7); 1 fut. ζητηθήσομαι (Lk. xii. 48); [fr. Hom. on]; Sept. for w73, and much oftener for wpa; to seek, i. 6. 1. to seek in order to find; a. univ. and absol. : Mt. vii. 7sq.; Lk. xi. 9 sq. (see εὑρίσκω. 1 a.); τινά, Mk. i. 37; Lk. ii. [45 R Lmrg.], 48; [iv. 42 Ree.]; Jn. vi. 24; xviii. 4,7; Acts x. 19, and often; foll. by ἐν νυ. dat. of place, Acts ix. 11; w. ace. of the thing (μαργαρίτας), of buyers, Mt. xiii. 45; something lost, Mt. xvili.12; Lk. xix. 10; τὶ ἔν τινι, as fruit on a tree, Lk. xiii. 6 sq.; ἀνάπαυσιν, a place of rest, Mt. xii. 3; Lk. xi. 24; after the Hebr. (“3 wa3-ns wp3 [ef. W. 33 (32); 187) ψυχήν τινος, to seek, plot against, the life of one, Mt. ii. 20; Ro. xi. 3, (Ex. iv. 19, ete.); univ. τί ζητεῖς; what dost thou seek? what dost thou wish? Jn. i. 38 (39); [iv. 21]. Ὄ. do seek [i. 6. in order to find out} by thinking, meditating, reasoning; to inquire into: περὶ τίνος ζητεῖτε per ἀλλήλων; Jn. xvi. 19; foll. by indiMk. xi. 18; xiv. 1, 11; Lk. xii. ; τὸν θεόν, to follow up the traces of divine majesty and power, Acts xvii. 27 (univ. to seek the knowledge of God, Sap. i. 1; xiii. 6; [Philo,monarch. i.§5]). oc. to seek after, seek for, aim at, strive after: εὐκαιρίαν, Mt. xxvi. 16; Lk. xxii. 6; ψευδομαρτυρίαν, Mt. xxvi. 59; Mk. xiv. 55; τὸν θάνατον, an opportunity to die, Rev. ix. 6; λύσιν, 1 Co. vii. 27; τὴν βασιλ. τοῦ θεοῦ, Mt. vi. 33; Lk. xii. 31; τὰ ἄνω, Col. iii. 1; εἰρήνην, 1 Pet. iii. 11; ἀφθαρσίαν etc. Ro. ii. 7; δόξαν ἔκ τινος, 1 Th. ii. 6; τὴν δόξαν τὴν παρά τινος, Jn. v. 44: τά twos, the property of one. 2 Co. xii. 14; τὴν δόξαν θεοῦ, to seek to promote the glory of God, Jn. vii. 18; viii. 50; τὸ θέλημά τινος, to attempt to establish, Jn. v. 30; τὸ σύμφορόν Tivos, to seek to further the profit or advantage of one, 1 Co. x. 33, i. q. ζητεῖν τά τινος. ib. x. 24; xiii.5; Phil. ii. 21; ὑμᾶς, to seek rect dise., πῶς, τί, τίνα: 29; xxii. 2: 1 Pet.v.8 2 ζυγος to win your souls, 2 Co. xii. 14; τὸν θεόν, to seek the favor of God (see ἐχζητέω, a.), Ro. x. 20; [iii. 11 Trmrg. WH mrg.]. foll. by inf. [B. 258 (222); W. § 44, 3] to seeki.e. desire, endeavor: Mt. xii. 46, [47 (WH in mrg. only)]; xxi. 46; Mk. [vi. 19 L Trmrg.]; xii. 12; Lk. v. 18; vi. 19; ix.9; Jn. v.18; vii. 4 [Β. § 142, 4], 19 sq.; Acts xiii. 8: xvi. 10; Ro. x. 3; Gal. i. 10; 11. 17; foll. by ἵνα [B. 237 (205)], 1 Co. xiv. 12. 2. to seek i. e. require, demand: [σημεῖον, Mk. viii. 12 LT Tr WH; Lk. xi. 29 T Tr WH]; σοφίαν, 1 Co. i. 22; δοκιμήν, 2 Co. xiii. 3; τὶ mapa τινος, to crave, demand something from some one, Mk. viii. 1; Lk. xi. 16; xii. 48; ἔν rem, dat. of pers., to seek in one i. 6. to require of him, foll. by ἵνα, 1 Co. iv. 2. (Comp.: dva-, ἐκ-, ἐπι-, συ-ζητέω.] ζήτημα, -τος, τό, (ζητέω), a question, debate: Acts xv. 2; xxvi. 3; νόμου, about the law, Acts xxiii. 29; περί τινος, Acts xviii. 15; xxv. 19. [From Soph. down.]
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ζητέω zēteō 117x
to seek, look for, Mt. 18:12; Lk. 2:48, 49; to search after, Mt. 13:45; to be on the watch for, Mt. 26:16; to pursue, endeavor to obtain, Rom. 2:7; 1 Pet. 3:11; to desire, wish, want, Mt. 12:47; to seek, strive for, Mt. 6:33; to endeavor, Mt. 21:46; to require, demand, ask for, Mk. 8:11; Lk. 11:16; 12:48; to inquire or ask questions, question, Jn. 16:19; to deliberate, Mk. 11:18; Lk. 12:29; in NT from Hebrew, ζητεῖν τὴν ψυχήν, to seek the life of any one, to seek to kill, Mt. 2:20
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ζητέω, -ῶ,
[in LXX chiefly for בּקשׁ pi., also for דּרשׁ, etc.;]
to seek, seek for: Mt 7:7, 8, Lk 11:9, 10; c. acc. pers., Mk 1:37, Lk 2:48, Jo 6:24, al.; id. seq. ἐν, Ac 9:11; c. acc. rei, Mt 13:45, Lk 19:10; seq. ἐν, Lk 13:6, 7; ψυχήν, of plotting against one's life (Ex 4:19, al.), Mt 2:20, Ro 11:3(LXX). Metaph., to seek by thinking, search after, inquire into: Mk 11:18, Lk 12:28, Jo 16:19; τ. θεόν, Ac 17:27.
to seek or strive after, desire: Mt 12:46, Mk 12:12, Lk 9:9, Jo 5:18, Ro 10:3, al.; τ. θάνατον, Re 9:6; τ. βασιλείαν τ. θεοῦ, Mt 6:33 (Dalman, Words, 121 f.); τὰ ἄνω, Col 3:1; εἰρήνην, I Pe 3:11(LXX).
to require, demand: c. acc. rei, Mk 8:12, Lk 11:29, I Co 1:22, II Co 13:3; seq. παρά, Mk 8:11, al.; ἵνα, I Co 4:2 (cf. ἀνα-, ἐκ-, ἐπι-, συν-ζητέω).
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ζητέω ἦν ὁ θάνατος τῷ θ(ε)ῷ ἢ ζημία ὅπερ ἀδύνατον, which Harnack (Chron. ii. p. anderes fiir Gott als Strafe, was unmoglich ist,’’ adding in a note that the meaning may be, ‘‘ Ware Gott der, 181) renders, ‘‘so ware der Tod nichts welcher den Tod verhangt, so ware er ein strafender Gott, was unmoglich ist.” The subst. ζημίωμα is found in P Flor II. 1507 (Δ... 267) οὐχ ὀλίγον ζημίωμα εἰς τοῦτο γεινίόϊμενον ἡμῖν, BGU ΤΙ. 41013 (A.D. 276-7) τὰ περιγινόμενα λήμματα καὶ ζημίωμα [π]ρὸς σὲ ἤτω.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ζητέω (zēteō) — to seek. ζητ-έω, Doric dialect participle ζάτεισα [Refs 3rd c.BC+]imperfect ἐζήτουν, Epic dialect 3rd.pers. singular ζήτει [Refs 8th c.BC+]: aorist 1 ἐζήτησα [Refs 5th c.BC+]: perfect ἐζήτηκα [Refs 4th c.BC+] —middle, aorist 1 ἐζητησάμην (ἀν-) [Refs 3rd c.AD+]:—passive, future ζητηθήσομαι [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; but ζητήσομαι in passive sense,[Refs 2nd c.AD+]:—seek, seek for, ἐμὲ δ᾽ ἔξοχα πάντων ζήτει Il.[same place]; ζ. πημάτων ἀπαλλαγάς [Refs 5th c.BC+]; μὴ ζητῶν without seeking, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τὸ ζητούμενον ἁλωτόν what is sought for may be found, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
2. mquire for, τὰ πινάκια καὶ τὰ γραμματεῖα [Refs 5th c.BC+]
3. search after, search out, τὸν αὐτόχειρα [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of huntsmen, ζ. τὸν λαγώ [Refs 5th c.BC+]
4. search or inquire into, investigate, examine, of philosophical investigation, ζ. τὰ θεῖα [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τὸ ζητούμενον the matter of inquiry, the question, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; also of judicial inquiry, ζ. περὶ ἀδικημάτων [Refs 4th c.BC+]: generally, ζ. πότερον.. ἤ [Refs 5th c.BC+]
5. require, demand, τῶν πράξεων παρὰ τοῦ στρατηγοῦ τὸν λόγον ζητοῦντες [Refs 4th c.BC+]. requires the opening up of the wound, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
II. seek after, desire, ἀμήχανα [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of natural tendencies, ὁ θερμὸς ὕφαμμον χώραν ζητεῖ [Refs 4th c.BC+]:—passive, ζητούμενος sought after, in great demand, [Refs]
II.2. with infinitive, seek to do, ἐκμαθεῖν τι ζ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with future infinitive, ζητεῖς ἀναπείσειν [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with accusative et infinitive, seek or desire that, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
III. have to seek, feel the want of, ἵνα μὴ ζητέοιεν σιτία [Refs 5th c.BC+]:—passive, ζητούμενος οἷς ἀπέλειπες [Refs]