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Seeking a research way to search
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.
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.
The ancient Greek word "ερευνώ" ≈ "search, investigate".
The ancient Greek word "ζητέω" ≈ "seek" but has a secondary meaning, depending on context, of searching after or looking for.
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.
1. Does a solution "exist"?
2. Can we find an "effective" solution?
3. Can we find an "efficient" solution?
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
Euclid proved that there exist an infinite number of prime numbers but not an effective way to find (a finite number of) them or to determine if a number is prime.
Eratosthenes provided an effective way (algorithm) to determine if a number is prime by finding every prime (to a finite limit) called the Sieve of Eratosthenes.
No one knows of an efficient way to determine the prime factors of a (large enough) composite number (without trying all possibilities).
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.
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.
One can search a list to find a given element - or find that the element does not exist.
One can seek a track on a disk - that is known to exist before the seek starts.
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
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".
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Details are left as a future topic.
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11. John 7:52
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
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
- *G1833 *3 ἐξετάζω (ex-et-ad'-zo) : from G1537 and etazo (to examine); to test thoroughly (by questions), i.e. ascertain or interrogate:--ask, enquire, search.
- εξετασατε *2
- Matthew 2:8 ... Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; ...
- Matthew 10:11 ... or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it ...
- εξετασαι
- John 21:12 ... none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art ...
15. Matthew 2:13
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
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
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
- *G622 *90 ἀπόλλυμι (ap-ol'-loo-mee) : from G575 and the base of G3639; to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively:--destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.
- απολεσει *10
- Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life ...
- Matthew 16:25 ... his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life ...
- Matthew 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, ...
- Mark 8:35 ... his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life ...
- Mark 12:9 ... do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give ...
- Luke 9:24 ... his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life ...
- Luke 17:33 ... his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
- Luke 20:16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and ...
- απολεσαι *7
- Matthew 2:13 ... will seek the young child to destroy him.
- Matthew 10:28 ... rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and ...
- Mark 1:24 ... thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee ...
- Luke 4:34 ... thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee ...
- Luke 6:9 ... to save life, or to destroy it?
- Luke 19:47 ... the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
- James 4:12 ... is able to save and to destroy: who art thou ...
- αποληται *7
- Matthew 5:29 ... of thy members should perish, and not that thy ...
- Matthew 5:30 ... of thy members should perish, and not that thy ...
- Matthew 18:14 ... of these little ones should perish.
- Luke 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
- John 3:16 ... in him should not perish, but have ...
- John 6:12 ... that remain, that nothing be lost.
- John 11:50 ... that the whole nation perish not.
- απολεση *7
- Matthew 10:42 ... I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
- Matthew 16:25 ... his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life ...
- Mark 9:22 ... into the waters, to destroy him: but if ...
- Mark 9:41 ... I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
- Luke 9:24 ... his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life ...
- Luke 15:8 ... ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth ...
- John 10:10 ... and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that ...
- απολεσωσιν *4
- Matthew 12:14 ... against him, how they might destroy him.
- Matthew 27:20 ... they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
- Mark 3:6 ... against him, how they might destroy him.
- Mark 11:18 ... it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared ...
- απωλεσεν *4
- Matthew 22:7 ... he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and ...
- Luke 17:27 ... the flood came, and destroyed them all.
- Luke 17:29 ... from heaven, and destroyed them all.
- Jude 1:5 ... the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
- απολουνται *4
- Matthew 26:52 ... all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
- Luke 5:37 ... be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
- Romans 2:12 ... have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and ...
- Hebrews 1:11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and ...
- απωλετο *4
- John 17:12 ... none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; ...
- Acts 5:37 ... after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as ...
- James 1:11 ... the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall ...
- 2 Peter 3:6 ... that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
- απολλυμενοις *4
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 ... of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us ...
- 2 Corinthians 2:15 ... and in them that perish:
- 2 Corinthians 4:3 ... to them that are lost:
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ... deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not ...
- απωλοντο *4
- 1 Corinthians 10:10 ... also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
- 1 Corinthians 15:18 ... which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
- Jude 1:11 ... of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
- Revelation 18:14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after ...
- απολλυμεθα *3
- Matthew 8:25 ... Lord, save us: we perish.
- Mark 4:38 ... thou not that we perish?
- Luke 8:24 ... saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked ...
- απολεσας *3
- Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life ...
- Luke 9:25 ... the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
- Luke 15:4 ... sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
- απολωλος *3
- Luke 15:4 ... sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
- Luke 15:6 ... my sheep which was lost.
- Luke 19:10 ... and to save that which was lost.
- απολωλοτα *2
- Matthew 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
- Matthew 15:24 ... sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
- απολλυται *2
- Mark 2:22 ... is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine ...
- 1 Corinthians 8:11 ... thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom ...
- απολεισθε *2
- Luke 13:3 ... except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
- Luke 13:5 ... except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
- απολεσθαι *2
- Luke 13:33 ... cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
- 2 Peter 3:9 ... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come ...
- απωλεσα *2
- Luke 15:9 ... I have found the piece which I had lost.
- John 18:9 ... which thou gavest me have I lost none.
- απολωλως *2
- Luke 15:24 ... and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And ...
- Luke 15:32 ... is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
- απολλυνται
- Matthew 9:17 ... runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new ...
- απολομενου
- Luke 11:51 ... unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and ...
- απολλυμαι
- Luke 15:17 ... enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
- απολλυμενην
- John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth ...
- απολεσω
- John 6:39 ... which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise ...
- απολωνται
- John 10:28 ... life; and they shall never perish, neither shall ...
- απολλυει
- John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth ...
- απολειται
- Acts 27:34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for ...
- απολλυε
- Romans 14:15 ... walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with ...
- απολω
- 1 Corinthians 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and ...
- απωλλυντο
- 1 Corinthians 10:9 ... also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
- απολλυμενοι
- 2 Corinthians 4:9 ... cast down, but not destroyed;
- απολλυμενου
- 1 Peter 1:7 ... more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with ...
- απολεσητε
- 2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, ...
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.
The ancient Greek prefix "ᾰ̓πο" ≈ "away" and implies some distance of separation.
The ancient Greek word "ὄλλῡμῐ" ≈ "destroy" which appears to be related to the Latin word "aboleo" ≈ "retard, destroy" which is the source of the English word "abolish".
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
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
- *G684 *18 ἀπώλεια (ap-o'-li-a) : from a presumed derivative of G622; ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal):--damnable(-nation), destruction, die, perdition, X perish, pernicious ways, waste.
- απωλειαν *9
- Matthew 7:13 ... is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be ...
- Acts 8:20 ... him, Thy money perish with thee, because ...
- Romans 9:22 ... of wrath fitted to destruction:
- 1 Timothy 6:9 ... in destruction and perdition.
- Hebrews 10:39 ... not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to ...
- 2 Peter 2:1 ... who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
- 2 Peter 3:16 ... unto their own destruction.
- Revelation 17:8 ... the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that ...
- Revelation 17:11 ... and goeth into perdition.
- απωλειας *5
- John 17:12 ... is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
- Philippians 1:28 ... is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, ...
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3 ... of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
- 2 Peter 2:1 ... who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
- 2 Peter 3:7 ... the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
- απωλεια *4
- Matthew 26:8 ... To what purpose is this waste?
- Mark 14:4 ... Why was this waste of the ointment made?
- Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, ...
- 2 Peter 2:3 ... not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
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