Quick Definition
σκοπός, οῦ, ὁ n.m. a goal
Strong's Definition
perhaps akin to G4626 (σκάπτω) through the idea of concealment; compare G4629 (σκέπασμα)); a watch (sentry or scout), i.e. (by implication) a goal
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
noun, m. | -οῦ | σκοπέω
84.28 · Spacial Extensions · Extension To a Goal
goal that toward which movement or activity is directed The context of σκοπός in PHP 3:14 is highly figurative, and in some languages it may be better rendered as ‘what I seek to achieve’ or ‘what I wish to accomplish.’ For σκοπός in the idiom κατὰ σκοπὸν διώκω, see 89.56.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
σκοπός, -οὔ, ὁ, [(fr. ἃ τ. denoting ‘to spy,’ ‘peer,’ ‘look into the distance’; cf. also Lat. specio, speculum, species, ete.; Fick i. 251 sq.; iv. 279; Curtius §111)]; fr. Hom. down ; 1. an observer, a watchman. 2. the distant mark looked at, the goal or end one has in view: κατὰ σκοπόν (on this phrase see κατά, II. 1 ¢.), Phil. iii. 14.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
σκοπός skopos 1x
a watcher; also, a distant object on which the eye is kept fixed; a mark, goal, Phil. 3:14*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
σκοπός, -οῦ, ὁ
[in LXX chiefly for צֹפֶה ;]
a watcher, watchman (Ez 3:17, al.).
a mark on which to fix the eye (Wi 5:12, 21, al.). Metaph., of an aim or object: Phl 3:14.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
σκοπός. For the metaph meaning ‘‘aim,”’ ‘‘ object,’’ as in Phil 314, we may cite the last Will and Testament of Bishop Abraham, P Lond 778 (end of vi/A.p.) (=I. p. 232, Chres¢. 11. p- 370), where the Bishop declares that he acts ἐξ οἰκεία[ς] προθέσεως καὶ σκοπῷ αὐθαιρέτῳ, and adds 5 συνήρηκεν TO ἐμῷ ἀγαθῷ σκοπῷ: cf. P Lips I. 381:17 (a.p. 390) σκοπὸν ἔχων, τὸν ἔνδικον. . . συντρῖψαι, and Aristeas 251 κατορθοῦται γὰρ βίος, ὅταν ὁ κυβερνῶν εἰδῇ, πρὸς τίνα σκοπὸν δεῖ τὴν διέξοδον ποιεῖσθαι, ““ for life is then guided aright, when the steersman knows the port to which he must direct his course” (Thackeray). For the lit. sense a ‘‘mark” to be aimed at, cf. Sy// 670 (= * 1059 I.)?® (i/A.D.) σκοπῷ ἱππέων, 671 (-- 1059 II.)*? (6. A.D. I) σκοπῷ πεζῶν.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
σκοπός (skopos) — goal. σκοπ-ός, ὁ (also ἡ, [Refs 8th c.BC+]: (σκέπτομαι):— one that watches, one that looks about or after things, παρὰ δὲ σκοπὸν εἷσεν [Refs 8th c.BC+]; γυναικῶν δμῳάων σ. ἐσσι, of a housekeeper, [Refs 8th c.BC+], of gods and kings, with genitive loci, guardian, protector, Ὀλύμπου σ. [Refs]; Μαγνήτων σ., of Peleus, [Refs 5th c.BC+] __b one who watches or looks out to take advantage, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; watchful, jealous master, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
2. mostly, lookout-man, watcher, stationed in some high place (σκοπιά) to overlook a country, especially in war, [Refs 8th c.BC+]: also, game-watcher, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
3. spy, scout, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; of a messenger who has been sent to learn tidings, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
II. mark or object on which one fixes the eye, σκοπὸν ἄλλον, ὃν οὔ πώ τις βάλεν ἀνήρ, εἴσομαι αἴ κε τύχωμι [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἀπὸ σκοποῦ away from the mark, [Refs]; ἀπὸ σ. εἰρηκέναι, εἰρῆσθαι, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; σκοπῷ ἐπέχειν τόξον to aim at it,[Refs 5th c.BC+]
II.2. metaphorically, aim, end, object, οὗτος.. δοκεῖ ὁ σ. εἶναι πρὸς ὃν βλέποντα δεῖ ζῆν [Refs 4th c.BC+]; σκοπός.. nihil praebere 'his little game' is to make no allowance, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
II.2. b in Medicine texts, of healing, ἐπὶ τῷ πρώτῳ σ. by first intention (i.e. direct union), κατὰ δεύτερον σ. by second intention (i.e. granulation or scar tissue), [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
II.3. contest in shooting at a mark, σ. ἱππέων, πεζῶν, [Refs]
III. name of a dance, [Refs 5th c.BC+]