Send Close Add comments: (status displays here)
Got it!  This site "creationpie.com" uses cookies. You consent to this by clicking on "Got it!" or by continuing to use this website.  Note: This appears on each machine/browser from which this site is accessed.
Seeking a research way to search
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640


1. Seeking a research way to search
In English the words for "search" and "seek" are somewhat similar but different in important ways.

In the "ask", "seek", "knock" sequence, Jesus often says, "seek and you shall find". This is not the same as "search and you shall find".

2. Seek and search
A "seek" is not the same as a "search".

In Greek, the words for "seek", "zeal" and "damage" are related.

Information sign More: Seeking damages from zealous jealousy
In Greek, the word for "search" is related to "research".

3. Seek and search
In English, "seek" means to look for and implies that one knows that the object of the seek exists and it is possible to obtain it. Thus the "for" in "seek for" is redundant and unnecessary.

In English, "search" means to look for something and implies that the object of the search may not actually exist. The English word "research" is a search for something that may or may not exist. Here are the relevant words. Is there the same distinction in ancient Greek as in English? Let us "search" the scriptures to see if this is so.

Seeking and searching have are used in aspects of the problem solution types of existence, effective, and efficient aspects of solutions and problem solving in general.

4. Problem solution types
There are three "E" parts to solutions where each step depends on the previous steps. In general problem solving, one searches for a solution or that a solution exists. Once this search establishes the existence of a solution, one may seek an effective solution. Later, one may search for the most efficient solution, according to some set of efficiency criteria. An example is that of prime numbers.

5. Solution examples
The world's security of information systems is based on the assumption that there is no efficient way to determine the prime factors of a large composite number.

Information sign More: Top-down vs. bottom-up

6. Comparison
Someone may seek to climb Mount Everest but, since the paths are well known, does not need to search for a way to do it.

Columbus was seeking a way to China (for spices) using a route he had decided would work.

Later, explorers were searching for a northwest passage to China, around North and South America, since such a route was not known to even exist.

7. Computer science
In computer science, there are different algorithms for seeking than for searching. Let us look at seek and search separately and then look at some places where both words are used in close proximity by the same writer.

8. Replenish
Once, at a Bible study, I made the comment that in Old English, "replenish" meant just to fill up, not to do it again - as in God's command to Noah after the flood.

The English word "replenish" comes from the Middle English meaning of "fill up" or "finish" as in "complete" or "perfect".

9. Research
A lawyer at the study insisted that the "re" meant "again". Afterwards, I realized that I should have said that I was going to "research" that claim for the first time.

In English, to "research" something is to "search" for something to solve a problem at some level of reality or abstraction.

Let us "research" how the following verses use the Greek word for "search".

10. John 5:39
   John 5:39 
 All 
KJV: Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Greek: ερευνατε εραυνατε τας γραφας οτι υμεις δοκειτε εν αυταις ζωην αιωνιον εχειν και εκειναι εισιν αι μαρτυρουσαι περι εμου
Latin: scrutamini scripturas quia vos putatis in ipsis vitam aeternam habere et illae sunt quae testimonium perhibent de me
The Latin word "scrutor""search, examine thoroughly" and is the source of the English words "scrutiny", "scrutinize", etc.

The PIE (Proto Indo-European) roots appear to be related to words for "cut".

Future topic Details are left as a future topic.


11. John 7:52
   John 7:52 
 All 
KJV: They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
Greek: απεκριθησαν και ειπον ειπαν αυτω μη και συ εκ της γαλιλαιας ει ερευνησον εραυνησον και ιδε οτι προφητης εκ της γαλιλαιας προφητης ουκ εγηγερται εγειρεται

12. Herod
The following verses show the difference between the two words using Matthew's account of Herod at the time of the birth of Jesus.

13. Matthew 2:8
   Matthew 2:8 
 All 
KJV: And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
Greek: και πεμψας αυτους εις βηθλεεμ ειπεν πορευθεντες ακριβως εξετασατε ακριβως περι του παιδιου επαν δε ευρητε απαγγειλατε μοι οπως καγω ελθων προσκυνησω αυτω
Latin: et mittens illos in Bethleem dixit ite et interrogate diligenter de puero et cum inveneritis renuntiate mihi ut et ego veniens adorem eum
Tyndale: and sent the to Bethleem saynge: Goo and searche dyligetly for ye chylde. And when ye have founde hym bringe me worde yt I maye come and worshippe hym also.
A different Greek word is used in the previous verse.

The ancient Greek word "εξετάζω""examine, investigate".

For comparison, the Latin word "examino""weigh, consider, examine" and is the source of the English word "examine".

14. Strongs - search

15. Matthew 2:13
   Matthew 2:13 
 All 
KJV: And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Greek: αναχωρησαντων δε αυτων ιδου αγγελος κυριου φαινεται κατ οναρ τω ιωσηφ λεγων εγερθεις παραλαβε το παιδιον και την μητερα αυτου και φευγε εις αιγυπτον και ισθι εκει εως αν ειπω σοι μελλει γαρ ηρωδης ζητειν το παιδιον του απολεσαι αυτο

16. Anomaly
Here is a verse from the GNT (Greek New Testament) that does not appear to fit the distinction between a "seek" and a "search". Let us look at the verses in Luke 5:8-9.

Is the woman "seeking" or "searching"? Explain.

17. Luke 15:8
   Luke 15:8 
 All 
KJV: Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
Greek: η τις γυνη δραχμας εχουσα δεκα εαν απολεση δραχμην μιαν ουχι απτει λυχνον και σαροι την οικιαν και ζητει επιμελως εως οτου ου ευρη
It would appear that if the coin is lost within the bounds of the house, that one can "seek" it as it is known to exist. It is lost but somewhere in the house.

It is then "found".

18. Luke 15:9
   Luke 15:9 
 All 
KJV: And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
Greek: και ευρουσα συγκαλειται συγκαλει τας φιλας και τας γειτονας λεγουσα συγχαρητε μοι οτι ευρον την δραχμην ην απωλεσα

19. Strongs - lost

20. Ancient Greek
The Wictionary entry for the above Greek word appears to have a different meaning.

The ancient Greek word "ἀπόλλυμι""destroy, perish" and comes from two Greek words. There is an implication of "loss" by the "destruction". The ancient Greek word "απώλεια""loss"had to do with destruction. The modern Greek word "απώλεια" (a-PO-lee-a) ≈ "loss" as in the loss of an object - such as a coin.

However, the ancient Greek word "απώλεια""loss"had to do with destruction.

Discussion question: How might the modern Greek word (and translations) have been influenced by the context of the literal interpretation of the above verse? Consider the following verse in your answer.

21. Matthew 7:13
   Matthew 7:13 
 All 
KJV: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Greek: εισελθετε εισελθατε δια της στενης πυλης οτι πλατεια η πυλη και ευρυχωρος η οδος η απαγουσα εις την απωλειαν και πολλοι εισιν οι εισερχομενοι δι αυτης

22. Strongs - destruction

23. End of page

by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640