Abarim Publications' online Biblical Greek Dictionary
βλεπω
The verb βλεπω (blepo) means to look and differs from the verb ειδω (eido) and its two auxiliaries in that the latter expresses the kind of seeing that results in recognizing and understanding, while βλεπω (blepo) predominantly describes the physical act of looking at or upon something, whether something physical (a woman; Matthew 5:28), something prescribed (a law; Romans 7:23), something abstract (one's calling: 1 Corinthians 1:26) or even something audible (a voice; Revelation 1:12). Someone who can't βλεπω (blepo) is blind (Acts 9:9) but someone who can't ειδω (eido) is dim. The imperative forms of this verb describe the command to take heed or be careful.
Our verb βλεπω (blepo) is used 132 times in the New Testament, see full concordance, and from it derive:
- Together with the preposition ανα (ana), meaning on or upon, and thus also "again": the verb αναβλεπω (anablepo), which may mean to look up (Matthew 14:19, Mark 8:24), to look upon (Mark 16:4, Luke 7:22), and often: to regain one's sight (Matthew 11:5, Mark 10:51). Sometimes it's not wholly clear what the author may have meant — does in Acts 22:13 Saul look physically up at Ananias or regain his sight in him (and his words and deeds)? Do the two Mary's and Salome at the rolled-away stone look up at it, or regain their sight from it? (Mark 16:4) — but it should be remembered that the confusion lies wholly on our English side of this verbal transaction; in Greek it's perfectly clear and resolute. Was Jesus simply "looking up" at the sky to bless the five loaves and the two fish (Matthew 14:19), or was he gaining sight and filling up with the Holy Spirit? (Luke 2:40; see Acts 9:17). Our verb occurs 26 times, see full concordance, and from it derives:
- The noun αναβλεψις (anablepsis), meaning a recovery of sight (Luke 4:18 only).
- Together with the preposition απο (apo), mostly meaning from: the verb αποβλεπω (apoblepo), meaning to look intently because of an implied motivation. This word is used only once, in Hebrews 11:26, with the sense of to look/hunt for.
- The noun βλεμμα (blemma), meaning the act of object of seeing or looking. This word is used in 2 Peter 2:8 only, where it collectively describes things one can't help but notice.
- Together with the preposition δια (dia), meaning through or throughout: the verb διαβλεπω (diablepo), meaning to look through or to see clearly (Matthew 7:5 and Luke 6:42 only).
- Together with the preposition εν (en), meaning in, on, at or by: the verb εμβλεπω (emblepo), meaning to look at, in(to) or on(to). This verb occurs 12 times; see full concordance
- Together with the preposition επι (epi), meaning on or upon: the verb επιβλεπω (epiblepo), to look upon; to examine but this time from the elevated position of an obvious superior (Luke 1:48, 9:38 and James 2:3 only).
- Together with the preposition περι (peri), meaning around or about: the verb περιβλεπω (periblepo), meaning to look around to survey. This verb occurs 7 times; see full concordance.
- Together with the preposition προ (pro), meaning before: the verb προβλεπω (problepo), meaning to look at prior. This word occurs in Hebrews 11:40 only, where it appears to describe the future condition of mankind, which God already looks at.