BIBLE GREEK WORD STUDY
Heurískō — Meaning and Biblical Usage
εὑρίσκω means “to find,” whether literally discovering something, learning through inquiry, or obtaining a desired result.
Meaning of the word
The basic sense is to find, with or without a preceding search. In Matthew 7:7, seeking is contrasted with finding: the one who seeks is promised to find.
It can also describe discovering, learning, or perceiving something through inquiry. The term may be used of finding faith, a person, or a condition, and in some passages it is contrasted with disappearance or not being found.
In a figurative sense, εὑρίσκω can mean gaining or obtaining something for oneself. Examples include finding life, rest, redemption, or the knowledge of God, as the supplied biblical references indicate.
Usage in Scripture
Matthew 2:7 illustrates inquiry and discovery: Herod sought to learn the exact time when the star appeared. Matthew 8:10 speaks of Jesus finding great faith, while Matthew 12:43 describes a spirit seeking rest and not finding it.
Matthew 10:39 and 11:29 show the term in sayings about receiving life and rest. In the parables of Matthew 13:44 and 13:46, a man finds a hidden treasure and a valuable pearl, then acts to obtain what he has found.
The word in detail
- G2147 εὑρίσκω (heurískō) means “to find,” literally or figuratively. It can describe finding without or after seeking, discovering through inquiry, learning, or attaining something, and the supplied references show its use for finding faith, life, rest, treasure, and a pearl.
Example verses
- Matthew 7:7 Seeking is linked with the promise of finding, presenting finding as the result of continued seeking.
- Matthew 8:10 Jesus says that he had not found such great faith, using εὑρίσκω for recognizing or encountering faith.
- Matthew 10:39 Finding one’s life is contrasted with losing it for Jesus’ sake, showing the term’s figurative sense of gaining life.
- Matthew 13:44 The man finds a hidden treasure in a field, a clear example of literal finding that leads him to obtain the field.
Common questions
What does εὑρίσκω mean?
It means “to find,” literally or figuratively, including discovering, learning, or obtaining something.
How is εὑρίσκω used in Matthew 7:7?
It is used in the promise that those who seek will find.
Does εὑρίσκω always describe physical discovery?
No. It can also refer to finding faith, life, rest, knowledge, or other things in a figurative sense.