ἰδού
idou
look!
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἰδού (idou) is an interjection that translates to "look!" or "behold!" It is used 208 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in conveying attention and emphasis. This word functions as an exclamation, drawing the listener's attention to something significant, whether it's a visual detail, a person, or an event. The range of usage for ἰδού is quite broad, as it can be used in various contexts, from describing a physical appearance to highlighting a spiritual truth. Its significance lies in its ability to create a sense of urgency and importance, encouraging the listener to pay attention and engage with the message being conveyed. In essence, ἰδού serves as a verbal gesture, pointing the listener's attention to something remarkable, whether it's a beautiful sight, a miraculous event, or a profound truth. Its frequent use in the Bible underscores its importance in conveying the significance and wonder of the divine message.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
208 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”
Matthew 1:20But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel;” which is, being interpreted, “God with us.”
Matthew 2:1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
Matthew 2:9They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
Matthew 2:13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
Matthew 2:19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
Matthew 3:16Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.
Matthew 3:17Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 4:11Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.
Matthew 7:4Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?
Matthew 8:2Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”
Matthew 8:24Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.
Matthew 8:29Behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”
Matthew 8:32He said to them, “Go!” They came out, and went into the herd of pigs: and behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the cliff into the sea, and died in the water.
Matthew 8:34Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders.
Matthew 9:2Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”
Matthew 9:10As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
Matthew 9:18While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Matthew 9:20Behold, a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment;
Matthew 9:32As they went out, behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him.
Matthew 10:16“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Matthew 11:8But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
Matthew 11:10For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’
Matthew 11:19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
Matthew 12:2But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:18“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations.
Matthew 12:41The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here.
Matthew 12:42The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 12:46While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
Matthew 12:47One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.”
Matthew 12:49He stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers!
Matthew 13:3He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow.
Matthew 15:22Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon!”
Matthew 17:3Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.
Matthew 17:5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Matthew 17:5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Matthew 19:16Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
Matthew 19:27Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?”
Matthew 20:18“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death,
Matthew 20:30Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!”
Matthew 21:5“Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Matthew 22:4Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding feast!” ’
Matthew 23:34Therefore behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city;
Matthew 23:38Behold, your house is left to you desolate.
Matthew 24:23“Then if any man tells you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There,’ don’t believe it.
Matthew 24:25“Behold, I have told you beforehand.
Matthew 24:26If therefore they tell you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ don’t go out; or ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ don’t believe it.
Matthew 24:26If therefore they tell you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ don’t go out; or ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ don’t believe it.
Matthew 25:6But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’