2400. idou
Strong's Lexicon
idou: Behold, Look, See

Original Word: ἰδού
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: idou
Pronunciation: ee-DOO
Phonetic Spelling: (id-oo')
Definition: Behold, Look, See
Meaning: See! Lo! Behold! Look!.

Word Origin: Derived from the verb εἶδον (eidon), which is the aorist form of ὁράω (horao), meaning "to see."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often used in similar contexts is הִנֵּה (hinneh), which also means "behold" or "look."

Usage: The Greek particle "idou" is used to draw attention to a particular statement or event. It serves as an imperative to the listener or reader to pay close attention to what follows. In the New Testament, "idou" is often used to highlight significant moments, divine interventions, or prophetic fulfillments. It functions as a literary device to emphasize the importance or urgency of the message.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek and Jewish cultures, oral tradition was a primary means of communication. The use of "idou" in the biblical text reflects this oral tradition, where speakers would use such particles to capture the audience's attention. In the context of the New Testament, "idou" often introduces revelations, miracles, or important teachings of Jesus, underscoring their significance in the narrative.

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2400 idoú (a demonstrative particle, used chiefly in the LXX for hinnēh; "properly, the imperative, the aorist middle of eidon/horáō, to see," Abbott-Smith, BAGD) – behold, which especially calls attention to what follows from it. See 2396 (ide).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from eidon, used as a demonstrative particle
Definition
look, behold
NASB Translation
assure (1), behold (145), here (3), lo (1), long (1), look (8), see (1), then (1), there (1), when (1), why (1), yet (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2400: ἰδού

ἰδού, a demonstrative particle (in Greek writings from Sophocles down), found in the N. T. especially in the Gospels of Matthew and of Luke, used very often in imitation of the Hebrew הִנֵּה, and giving a peculiar vivacity to the style by bidding the reader or hearer to attend to what is said: "Behold! See! Lo!" It is inserted in the discourse after a genitive absolutely, Matthew 1:20; Matthew 2:1, 13; Matthew 9:18; Matthew 12:46; Matthew 17:5; Matthew 26:47; Matthew 28:11. καί ἰδού is used, when at the close of a narrative something new is introduced, Matthew 2:9; Matthew 3:16; Matthew 4:11; Matthew 8:2, 24, 29, 32, 34; Matthew 9:2f, 20; Matthew 12:10; Matthew 15:22; Matthew 17:3; Matthew 19:16; Matthew 26:51; Matthew 27:51; Matthew 28:2, 7; Luke 1:20, 31, 36; Luke 2:9 (R G L Tr brackets),; ; Acts 12:7; Acts 16:1; when a thing is specified which is unexpected yet sure, 2 Corinthians 6:9 (καί ἰδίου ζῶμεν, and nevertheless we live), cf. Matthew 7:4; when a thing is specified which seems impossible and yet occurs, Luke 11:41; Acts 27:24. The simple ἰδού is the exclamation of one pointing out something, Matthew 12:2, 47 (WH here in marginal reading only); Matthew 13:3; Matthew 24:26; Mark 3:32; Luke 2:34; and calling attention, Mark 15:35 (T Tr WH ἴδε); Luke 22:10; John 4:35; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 2 Corinthians 5:17; James 5:9; Jude 1:14; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 9:12; Revelation 11:14; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 22:7 (Rec.); in other places it is equivalent to observe or consider: Matthew 10:16; Matthew 11:8; Matthew 19:27; Matthew 20:18; Matthew 22:4; Mark 10:28, 33; Mark 14:41; Luke 2:48; Luke 7:25; Luke 18:28, 31, etc.; also καί ἰδού, Matthew 28:20; Luke 13:30; ἰδού γάρ, Luke 1:44, 48; Luke 2:10; Luke 6:23; Luke 17:21; Acts 9:11; 2 Corinthians 7:11; ἰδού where examples are adduced: James 3:4ff; 5:4,7,11; for the Hebrew הִנְנִי, so that it includes the copula: Luke 1:38; equivalent to here I am: Acts 9:10; Hebrews 2:13. ἰδού is inserted in the midst of a speech, Matthew 23:34 (here WH marginal reading Ἰδού (see the commentaries)); Luke 13:16; Acts 2:7; Acts 13:11; Acts 20:22, 25. The passages of the O. T. containing the particle which are quoted in the New are these: Matthew 1:23; Matthew 11:10; Matthew 12:18; Matthew 21:5; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27; John 13:15; Romans 9:33; Hebrews 2:13; Hebrews 8:8; Hebrews 10:7, 9; 1 Peter 2:6. Like the Hebrew הִנֵּה, ἰδού and καί ἰδού stand before a nominative which is not followed by a finite verb, in such a way as to include the copula or predicate (cf. Buttmann, 139 (121f)): e. g., was heard, Matthew 3:17; is, is or was here, exists, etc., Matthew 12:10 L T Tr WH, 41; Mark 13:21 R G L; Luke 5:12, 18; Luke 7:37; Luke 11:31; Luke 13:11 (R G add ἦν); ; John 19:26 (Rec., 27 R G); Acts 8:27, 36; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 6:2, 5, 8; Revelation 7:9 (not L); ; is approaching, Matthew 25:6 G L T Tr WH (Rec. adds ἔρχεται); but also in such a way as to have simply a demonstrative force: Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
behold, lo, see.

Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.

see GREEK eido

Forms and Transliterations
ιδου ιδού ἰδοὺ idou idoù
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