Strong's G2212 · Greek
ζητέω
zeteo · /dzay-teh'-o/
Definition
of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life):--be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means). Compare 4441.
KJV: be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means). Compare 4441
Root / derivation: of uncertain affinity
KJV usage breakdown
How the Authorized (KJV) translators rendered ζητέω across 115 verses.
Every occurrence (KJV)
115 verses use this word, grouped by book — the translated form is highlighted.
Matthew14 verses
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.
Matthew 2:20Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 7:7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 7:8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 12:43When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Matthew 12:46While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Matthew 12:47Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
Matthew 13:45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Matthew 18:12How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
Matthew 21:46But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
Matthew 26:16And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Matthew 26:59Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
Matthew 28:5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
Mark9 verses
And when they had found him, they said unto him All men seek for thee.
Mark 3:32And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
Mark 8:11And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
Mark 11:18And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
Mark 12:12And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.
Mark 14:1After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
Mark 14:11And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
Mark 14:55And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
Mark 16:6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
Luke27 verses
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
Luke 2:48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
Luke 2:49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luke 4:42And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.
Luke 5:18And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
Luke 6:19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
Luke 9:9And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
Luke 11:9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Luke 11:10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Luke 11:16And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
Luke 11:24When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
Luke 11:54Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
Luke 12:29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink neither be ye of doubtful mind. neither: or, live not in careful suspense
Luke 12:31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Luke 13:6He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Luke 13:7Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Luke 13:24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Luke 15:8Either 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? pieces: drachma, here translated a piece of silver, is the eighth part of an ounce, which cometh to seven pence halfpenny, and is equal to the Roman penny
Luke 17:33Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
Luke 19:3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Luke 19:10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:47And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
Luke 20:19And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
Luke 22:2And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
Luke 22:6And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. in the: or, without tumult
Luke 24:5And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? the living: or, him that liveth
John32 verses
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:27And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
John 5:16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
John 5:18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
John 5:30I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 5:44How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
John 6:24When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
John 6:26Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
John 7:1After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
John 7:4For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
John 7:11Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
John 7:18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
John 7:19Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
John 7:20The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
John 7:25Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
John 7:30Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
John 7:34Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
John 7:36What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
John 8:21Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:37I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
John 8:40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
John 8:50And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
John 10:39Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
John 11:8His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
John 11:56Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?
John 13:33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
John 16:19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
John 18:4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
John 18:7Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
John 18:8Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
John 19:12And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
John 20:15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Acts10 verses
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
Acts 10:19While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
Acts 10:21Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
Acts 13:8But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Acts 13:11And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Acts 16:10And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Acts 17:5But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
Acts 17:27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Acts 21:31And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Acts 27:30And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,
Romans4 verses
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Romans 10:3For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Romans 10:20But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
Romans 11:3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
1 Corinthians7 verses
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
1 Corinthians 4:2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1 Corinthians 7:27Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
1 Corinthians 10:24Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
1 Corinthians 10:33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
1 Corinthians 13:5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1 Corinthians 14:12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. of spiritual gifts: Gr. of spirits
2 Corinthians2 verses
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
2 Corinthians 13:3Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
Galatians2 verses
Colossians1 verse
1 Thessalonians1 verse
2 Timothy1 verse
Hebrews1 verse
1 Peter2 verses
Topics that use this word
Frequently asked questions
What does Strong's G2212 (zeteo) mean?
of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life):--be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means). Compare 4441.
How many times does G2212 appear in the Bible?
Strong's G2212 (ζητέω) appears in 115 verses of the King James Version, most often translated “seek.”
How is zeteo translated in the KJV?
In the KJV, Strong's G2212 is rendered as “seek” (41×), “sought” (34×), “seeking” (11×), “seeketh” (9×), among other words.
Where does the Greek word ζητέω come from?
of uncertain affinity