Quick Definition
I find
Strong's Definition
to find (literally or figuratively)
Derivation: a prolonged form of a primary , which (together with another cognate form) is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect;
KJV Usage: find, get, obtain, perceive, see
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
εὑρίσκω; imperfect εὕρισκον (Mar_14:55 (R G T); Luk_19:48 (R G T); Act_7:11 (except Tr WH)) and more rarely ηὕρισκον (cf. Kühner, § 343, i. 825f (especially Veitch, under the word at the end) and references under εὐδοκέω); future εὑρήσω; perfect εὕρηκα; 1 aorist ἑύρησα (which aorist, unknown to the earlier Greeks, occurs in Aesop fab. 131 (f. 41 edition Furia, p. 333 edition Cor.); Manetho, 5, 137 and in Byzantine writings; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 721; Winers Grammar, 86 (82); (cf. Buttmann, 36 (31))), Rev_18:14 Rec.; 2 aorist εὗρον, 1 person plural in Alex. form L WHs Appendix, p. 164; Buttmann, 39 (34); Winers Grammar, § 13, 1 (see ἀπέρχομαι)) εὕραμεν, Luk_23:2 T Tr WH, 3 person plural εὗραν, Luk_8:35 Tr WH; Act_5:10 Tr (in the Sept. often εὕροσαν); passive, present ἑυρίσκομαι; imperfect 3 person singular εὑρίσκετο, Heb_11:5 R G, ηὑρίσκετο L T Tr WH (cf. Bleek and Delitzsch at the passage (Veitch, as above)); 1 aorist εὑρέθην; future εὑρεθήσομαι; 2 aorist middle ἑυρομην and later εὑράμην (Heb_9:12 (cf. references above (on 2 aorist active))); the Sept. numberless times for ξΘφΘΰ, sometimes for δΔωΔΜ�ιβ to attain to, and for Chaldean ωΐΡλΗη; (from Homer down); to find; i. e.
1. properly, to come upon, hit upon, to meet with;
a. after searching, to find a thing sought: absolutely, opposed to ζητεῖν, Mat_7:7; Luk_11:9 f (ζητεῖ καί εὑρήσεις, Epictetus diss. 4, 1, 51); τινα, Mat_2:8; Mar_1:37; Luk_2:45; Act_11:26 (); ; 2Co_2:13 (); 2Ti_1:17; Rev_20:15, etc.; οὐχ εὑρίσκετο, he had vanished, Heb_11:5; with a specification of place added: πέραν with the genitive Joh_6:25; ἐν with the dative Act_5:22; εὑρέθη εἰς, Act_8:40 (see εἰς, C. 2); with the accusative of the thing, Mat_7:14; Mat_13:46; Mat_18:13; Luk_24:3; Joh_10:9; Act_7:11; Rom_7:18 Rec., etc.; followed by indirect discourse, Luk_5:19; οὐχ εὑρέθησαν, had disappeared, Rev_16:20, cf. Rev_18:21; with the dative of advantage, Rev_20:11; followed by ἐν with the dative of place, Mat_21:19; Rev_12:8. τινα or τί ζητεῖν καί οὐχ εὑρίσκειν: Mat_12:43; Mat_26:60; Mar_14:55; Luk_11:24; Luk_13:6; Joh_7:34; Rev_9:6 (2Ki_2:17; Neh_7:64; Psalm 9:36 (); Ecc_7:29; Eze_22:30; Eze_26:21 Ald.; Complutensian; Hos_2:7); γῆ καί τά ἐν αὐτῇ ἔργα εὑρεθήσεται shall be found namely, for destruction, i. e. will be unable to hide themselves from the doom decreed them by God, 2Pe_3:10 Tr WH, after the strange but improbable reading of manuscripts ΰ B and other authorities; (see WH. Introductory § 365 and Appendix at the passage).
b. without previous search, to find (by chance), to fall in with: τινα, Mat_18:28; Mat_27:32; Joh_1:41 (), (); ; Act_13:6; Act_18:2; Act_19:1; Act_28:14; followed by ἐν with the dative of place, Joh_2:14. τί, Mat_13:44; Mat_17:27; Luk_4:17; Joh_12:14; Act_17:23; followed by ἐν, with the dative of place, Mat_8:10; Luk_7:9.
c. εὑρίσκω τινα or τί with a predicate accusative is used of those who come or return to a place, the predicate participle or adjective describing the state or condition in which the person or thing met with is found, or the action which one is found engaged in: with an adjective, Act_5:10; 2Co_9:4; 2Co_12:20; with a participle (cf. Buttmann, 301 (258)), Mat_12:44; Mat_20:6; Mat_21:2; Mat_24:46; Mat_26:40; Mat_26:43; Mar_11:2; Mar_13:36; Mar_14:37; Mar_14:40; Luk_2:12; Luk_7:10; Luk_8:35; Luk_11:25; Luk_12:37; Luk_12:43; Luk_19:30; Luk_23:2; Luk_24:2; Luk_24:33; Act_5:23; Act_9:2; Act_10:27; Act_21:2; Act_24:12; Act_24:18; Act_27:6; followed by καθώς, Mar_14:16; Luk_19:32; Luk_22:13; followed by a predicate substantive to which ὄντα must be supplied, Act_24:5 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 45, 6 b.; Buttmann, 304 (261)).
2. tropically, "to find by inquiry, thought, examination, scrutiny, observation, hearing; to find out by practice and experience," i. e. to see, learn, discover, understand: κατηγορίαν, Luk_6:7 (T Tr text WH κατηγορεῖν); τινα followed by participle in the predicate, Act_23:29; by ὅτι, Rom_7:21; after an examination (πειράζειν), τινα (τί) with a predicate adjective (participle), Rev_3:2; of a judge: αἰτίαν θανάτου, Act_13:28; αἰτίαν, κακόν, ἀδίκημα ἐν τίνι, Joh_18:38; Joh_19:4; Joh_19:6; Act_23:9; Act_24:20; after a computation, with an accusative of the price or measure, Act_19:19; Act_27:28; after deliberation, τό τί ποιήσωσι, Luk_19:48; τό πῶς κολάσωνται αὐτούς, Act_4:21. Passive ἑυρίσκομαι to be found, i. e. to be seen, be present: Luk_9:36 (Gen_18:31); often like the Hebrew πΔξΐφΘΰ to be discovered, recognized, detected, to show oneself out, of one's character or state as found out by others (men, God, or both) (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 65, 8): εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρί ἔχουσα, Mat_1:18; ἵνα εὑρεθῶσι καθώς καί ἡμεῖς, 2Co_11:12; εὑρέθη μοι ἡ ἐντολή εἰς θάνατον namely, οὖσα, the commandment, as I found by experience, brought death to me, Rom_7:10; add, Luk_17:18 (none showed themselves as having returned); Act_5:39; 1Co_4:2; 1Co_15:15; 2Co_5:3; Gal_2:17; 1Pe_1:7; Rev_5:4; τίνι, the dative of the person taking cognizance and judging (Winers Grammar, § 31, 10; Buttmann, 187 (162)), 2Pe_3:14 (add 2Co_12:20, yet cf. Buttmann, the passage cited and § 133, 14; Winer's Grammar, § 31, 4 a.); ἵνα εὑρεθῶ ἐν αὐτῷ i. e. ἐν Χριστῷ, namely, ὤν, Php_3:9; σχήματι εὑρεθείς ὡς ἄνθρωπος, Php_2:7 (8) (Josephus, b. j. 3, 6, 1; so the Latinincenior, Cicero, de amic. 19, 70; reperior, Tuscul. i. 39, 94). εὑρίσκειν Θεόν (opposed to ζητεῖν αὐτόν, see ζητέω, 1 c. (cf. ἐκζητέω, a.)), to get knowledge of, come to know, God, Act_17:27; εὑρίσκεται (ὁ Θεός) τίνι, discloses the knowledge of himself to one, Wis_1:2; cf. Grimm, exgt. Hdb. at the passage (who refers to Philo, monarch. i. § 5; Origen contra Celsus 7, 42). On the other hand, in the O. T. εὑρίσκεται ὁ Θεός is used of God heaving prayer, granting aid implored (1Ch_28:9; 2Ch_15:2; 2Ch_15:4; 2Ch_15:15; Jer_36:13 ()); hence, εὑρέθην (L and Tr in brackets WH marginal reading add ἐν) τοῖς ἐμέ μή ζητοῦσι, Rom_10:20 from Isa_65:1, means, according to Paul's conception, I granted the knowledge and deliverance of the gospel.
3. Middle, as in Greek writings, to find for oneself, to acquire, get, obtain, procure: λύτρωσιν, Heb_9:12; contrary to better Greek usage, the active is often used in the Scriptures in the same sense (cf. Buttmann, 193 (167); Winer's Grammar, 18; 33 (32) n.): τήν ψυχήν, Mat_10:39; Mat_16:25; ἀνάπαυσιν, (Sir_11:19) ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν, Mat_11:29; μετανοίας τόπον, place for recalling the decision, changing the mind (of his father), Heb_12:17 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 147 (139)); σκήνωμα τῷ Θεῷ, opportunity of building a house for God, Act_7:46; χάριν εὕρωμεν, grace, favor, Heb_4:16; χάριν παρά τῷ Θεῷ, Luk_1:30; ἐνώπιον, τοῦ Θεοῦ, Act_7:46; ἔλεος παρά κυρίου, 2Ti_1:18; (αΒΜςΕιπΕι ηΕο ξΘφΘΰ, Gen_6:8; Gen_18:3; Gen_30:27; Gen_32:6; Exo_33:12; Deu_24:1, etc.; 1Es_8:4). (Compare: ἀνευρίσκω.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
εὑρίσκω heuriskō 176x
to find, to meet with; Mat_18:28 ; Mat_20:6 ;
to find out, to detect, discover, Luk_23:2 ; Luk_23:4 ; Luk_23:14 ;
to acquire, obtain, win, gain, Luk_1:30 ; Luk_9:12 ;
to find mentally, to comprehend, recognize, Act_17:27 ; Rom_7:21 ;
to find by experience, observe, gather, Rom_7:18 ;
to devise as feasible, Luk_5:19 ; Luk_19:48 discover; find; obtain.
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
εὑρίσκω ,
[in LXX chiefly for H4672 , also for H5381 hi ., etc.;]
to find, with or without previous search: absol. , opp . to ζητέω , Mat_7:7-8 , Luk_11:9-10 ; c . acc , Mat_2:8 , Mar_1:37 , Act_13:22 , 2Ti_1:17 , al. ; pass ., οὐχ εὑ ., of disappearance, Heb_11:5 , Rev_16:20 , al. ; γῆ κ . τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ἔργα εὑρεθήεται (for conjectures as to the meaning of this reading, v. Mayor , ICC , in l ), 2Pe_3:10 , WH , R , mg . Metaph ., t o find, find out by inquiry, learn , discover: Luk_19:48 Act_4:21 ; αἰτίαν , Joh_18:38 , Act_13:28 , al. ; pass ., Mat_1:18 , Luk_17:18 , Rom_7:10 , 1Co_4:2 , Gal_2:17 , 1Pe_1:7 , Rev_5:4 , al. ; of attaining to the knowledge of God, εὑ . θεόν , Act_17:27 ; pass ., Rom_10:20 ( LXX ). Mid ., to fnd for oneself, gain, procure, obtain: c . acc rei , λύτρωσιν , Heb_9:12 ; act, in same sense (so cl . poets, but not in Attic prose), Mat_10:39 ; Mat_11:29 , Luk_1:30 , Act_7:46 , 2Ti_1:18 , al. ( cf. ἀν -ευρίσκω ).
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
εὑρίσκω [page 264]
P Hib I. 48 .6 (B.C. 255) οὐ γὰρ εὑρίσκω ἐν τοῖς βιβλίοις , for I cannot find the entry in the books (Edd.), P Tebt I. 58 .8 (B.C. 111) εὑρήκαμεν δὲ τὸν ἐπιδεδωκότα τὸ ὑπόμνη (μα ), P Oxy III. 532 .19 (ii/A.D.) καὶ γὰρ ἐν Παώμει τότε σε εὗρον , P Iand 8 .11 (ii/A.D.) ἐ̣ὰν τὸ χυτ̣ρ̣ι̣]ον εὕρωι (for form cf. Mayser Gr. p. 134 f.), διαπέμψ [ομαι διὰ το ]ῦ ὀνολ̣α̣του ἀμερίμνω [ς : cf. for the passive P Rein 11 .11 (B.C. 111) διὰ τὸ τοῦτον ἐκπεπτωκέναι καὶ μὴ εὑρίσκεσθαι , because this man has left the country and is not to be found, P Oxy IV. 743 .25 (B.C. 2) καὶ εὑρέθη μήτε εἰληφὼς μήτε δεδωκώ (ς ), it was discovered that he had neither received nor paid anything, and P Giss I. 47 .4 (Hadrian) λείαν ἄξια εὑρῆσθαι . For a weaker sense, as in Mat_27:32 al. , see P Tebt II. 330 .5 (ii/A.D.) παραγενομένου εἰς τὴν κώμην εὗρον τὴν οἰκίαν μου σεσυλημένην , P Gen I. 54 .31 (iv/A.D.) ἀπελθόντων ἡμῶν ἐκεῖσαι εὑρήκαμεν τὸν πραιπόσιτον τοῦ σάγου ἐκῖσαι . Cf. also Ev. Petr. 6 εὑρέθη ὥρα ἐνάτη . The verb is used absolutely in the curious acrostic P Tebt II. 278 .30 (early i/A.D.) ζητῶι καὶ οὐχ εὑρίσκωι : cf. P Leid W vi. 3 (ii/iii A.D.) ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν ἑπτάζωνον , μέτρει ἀποκάτωθεν , καὶ εὑρήσεις . With Luk_6:7 ; Luk_11:54 D, we may compare the use of εὑρίσκω in P Par 45 .7 (B.C. 153) προσέχων μὴ εὕρῃ τι κατὰ σοῦ ἰπῖν . In Syll 535 .37 (ii/B.C.) τοῦ δὲ εὑρόντος ἀργυρίου λογισάμενοι ἐπὶ δραχμεῖ τὸν τόκον , it is = fetch (by sale), and in PSI IV. 403 .10 (iii/B.C.) τοῦ εὑρίσκοντος καὶ ἔτι ἐλάττονός σοι ὑπάρξει , it is used of the current price (see the editors notes). For the form εὑρήκειμεν see P Eleph 13 .5 (B.C. 223 2), and for εὕροσαν , as often in LXX, see BGU IV. 1201 .16 (A.D. 2) εὕροσαν τὸν στροφέα τοῦ ἑνὸς μ̣ε̣ρ̣ο̣υ̣ς̣ [τ ]ῆς θύρας h̔̓ρμένον χ [ε ]ρσ̣ε̣ι̣ν̣. The verb occurs in the Christian prayer P Oxy VI. 925 .6 (v/vi A.D.) (= Selections , p. 131) φανέρωσον . . εἰ . . εὑρίσκω σε σὺν ἐμοὶ πράττοντα (καὶ ) εὐμενῆν , reveal whether I shall find Thee aiding me and gracious, and in the new Logion, P Oxy IV. 654 .17 , ἡ βασ [ίλεια τῶν οὐρανῶν ] ἐντὸς ὑμῶν [ἐ ]στι [καὶ ὅστις ἂν ἑαυτὸν ] γνῶ ταύτην εὑρή [σει . . . . . It is perhaps worth noting that in p Ryl II. 125 .27 (a charge of robbery A.D. 28 9) ὡμολ [ό ]γησεν τὴν πυξίδα ὡς προφέρεται κενήν , he acknowledges (having found) the box but alleges that it was empty (Edd.), the omission of εὑρηκέναι , is oddly like Rom_4:1 B. In P Grenf I. 1 .4 (ii/B.C.) the faithless lover is called ἀκαταστασίης εὑρέτης , while for εὕρημα we may compare P Oxy III. 472 .33 ( c. A.D. 130) εἰς συκοφαντίαν εὕρημα , an excuse for calumnies (Edd). For exx. of the unaspirated εὐρίσκω , see Crφnert Mem. Herc. p. 146 1. MGr εὑρίσκω , βρίσκω , βρίστω , εὑρήκω : ξεύρω , I know.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
εὑρίσκω "to find", Hom. , etc.:—c. part. "to find that", Hdt. ; and in Pass., ἢν εὑρεθῆις δίκαιος ὤν Soph. c. inf., εὕρισκε πρῆγμά οἱ εἶναι "found" that the thing for him was, Hdt. "to find out, discover", Hom. , etc.; cf. εὕρημα II:—so in Mid. "to find out for oneself", Od. "to devise, invent", Aesch. , etc.:—Mid., τὰ δ᾽ ἔργα τοὺς λόγους εὑρίσκεται deeds "make themselves" words, i. e. speak for themselves, Soph. "to find, get, gain, procure", Pind. , Soph. , etc.:—Mid. "to get for oneself, bring on oneself", κακὸν εὕρετο Od. ; αὐτὸς εὑρόμην πόνους Aesch. of merchandise, "to find" a purchaser, "to fetch, earn", πολλὸν χρυσίον εὑροῦσα "having fetched" a large sum, Hdt. ; ἀποδίδοται τοῦ εὑρόντος sells "for what it will fetch", Xen.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
εὑρίσκω,
[in LXX chiefly for מצא, also for נשׂג hi., etc. ;]
to find, with or without previous search: absol., opposite to ζητέω, Mat.7:7, 8 Luk.11:9, 10; with accusative, Mat.2:8, Mrk.1:37, Act.13:22, 2Ti.1:17, al.; pass., οὐχ εὑ., of disappearance, Heb.11:5, Rev.16:20, al.; γῆ κ. τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ἔργα εὑρεθήσεται (for conjectures as to the meaning of this reading, see Mayor, ICC, in l.), 2Pe.3:10, WH, R, mg. Metaphorical, to find, find out by inquiry, learn, discover: Luk.19:48, Act.4:21; αἰτίαν, Jhn.18:38, Act.13:28, al.; pass., Mat.1:18, Luk.17:18, Rom.7:10, 1Co.4:2, Gal.2:17, 1Pe.1:7, Rev.5:4, al.; of attaining to the knowledge of God, εὑ. θεόν, Act.17:27; pass., Rom.10:20 (LXX). Mid., to find for oneself, gain, procure, obtain: with accusative of thing(s), λύτρωσιν, Heb.9:12; act. in same sense (so cl. poets, but not in Attic prose), Mat.10:39 11:29, Luk.1:30, Act.7:46, 2Ti.1:18, al. (cf. ἀν-ευρίσκω).
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Find (2147) heurisko
To be found (2147) (heurisko) means to find after searching and so to discover (Mt 7:7), to find accidentally or without seeking (Mt 12:44), to experience for oneself and to to obtain or procure (He 9:12). Figuratively, heurisko speaks of a spiritual or intellectual discovery gained through observation = reflection, perception, investigation (Ro 7:21). Because heurisko is such a common verb and has various meanings, always examine the context to help you discern the most appropriate definition.
BDAG (summarized) - 1. to come upon something either through purposeful search or accidentally, find a. after seeking, find, discover, come upon, Mt 7:7-8, Lk 11:9-10 b. accidentally, without seeking find, come upon Ge 4:14-15, Mt 18:28 2. to discover intellectually through reflection, observation, examination, or investigation, find, discover, Da 1:20, Ro 7:21 3. to attain a state or condition, find (for oneself), obtain.
Heurisko means...
learn location of something, either by intentional searching or by unexpected discovery learn whereabouts of something, find, discover, come upon, happen to find Mt 13:44
learn something previously not known, frequently involving an element of surprise, learn, to find out, to discover Acts 17:27; 19:19
attain a state, with supplementary implication of discovery to attain to, to discover Mt 10:39 ;8 Heb 12:17 .
be in a state which has not been anticipated to be found to be, to discover to be, to turn out to be. Acts 5:39; Ro 7:10
find a thing sought, find after search discover, come upon Mt 7:7
find accidentally or without seeking come across, come on without previous search, to find by chance, Mt 12:44
find by enquiry, thought, examination, scrutiny, observation,
find out by practice & experience
Metaphor, to find out by inquiry, to learn, discover Lk 19:48; Jn 18:38; 19:4, 6; Ac 4:21; 13:28; Ro 7:10 Gal 2:17; 1Pe 1:7; Rev 5:4).
Renn (Expository Dictionary) - Heurisko is a common verb found nearly 180 times meaning “find,” in a variety of contexts with a number of different nuances. The meaning “find” in the general sense of “discover” is indicated in Mt 2: 8 ff.; Mk 1:37; Lk 2:12; 11:9; Jn 1:41 ff.; Acts 4:21; Ro 7:21; 2Co. 2:13; 2Ti. 1:17; Rev. 2: 2; 9:6. The passive sense of “be found” is indicated in relation to Mary’s supernatural encounter with the Holy Spirit when it is recorded that she “was found” to be pregnant (cf. Mt 1:18). Other passive uses include 1Co. 15:15; 2Co. 5: 3; Gal. 2:17; Php. 2: 8; 1Pe. 2:22; Rev. 5: 4; 16:20; 20:11 ff. There is a significant metaphorical usage of “find” in Mt 10:39; 16:25, with the underlying sense of “take full possession of” in relation to people “finding” true life if they are prepared to deny themselves for the sake of the gospel. Heurisko means “find” in the sense of “receive” in Lk 1:30, which speaks of Mary “finding favor” with God. Other references to people “finding” such divine favor include those in Acts 7:46; 2Ti. 1:18; Heb. 4:16. See also Heb. 9:12; 11:5. The meaning “find” with the sense of “consider,” or “make an assessment” of someone, is indicated in Acts 24: 5 with reference to Paul’s enemies having “found” him to be a troublemaker. See also 1Co. 4: 2. Rev. 3: 2 mentions divine assessment of people. “Find” has the sense of “measure” in Acts 27:28, in relation to taking soundings in deep water.
Vine's Summary Find, Found - Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words -
Heurisko denotes (a) "to find," either with previous search, e.g., Matthew 7:7,8 , or without, e.g., Matthew 27:32 ; in the Passive Voice, of Enoch's disappearance, Hebrews 11:5 ; of mountains, Revelation 16:20 ; of Babylon and its occupants, Revelation 18:21,22 ; (b) metaphorically, "to find out by enquiry," or "to learn, discover," e.g., Luke 19:48 ; John 18:38 ; 19:4,6 ; Acts 4:21 ; 13:28 ; Romans 7:10 ; Galatians 2:17 , which indicates "the surprise of the Jew" who learned for the first time that before God he had no moral superiority over the Gentiles whom he superciliously dubbed "sinners," while he esteemed himself to be "righteous;" 1 Peter 1:7 ; Revelation 5:4 ; (c) in the Middle Voice, "to find for oneself, gain, procure, obtain," e.g. Matthew 10:39 ; 11:29 , "ye shall find (rest);" Luke 1:30 ; Acts 7:46 ; 2 Timothy 1:18 . See GET , OBTAIN.
Heurisko denotes "to find;" in the Middle Voice, "to find for oneself, to procure, get, obtain," with the suggestion of accomplishing the end which had been in view; so in Hebrews 9:12 , "having obtained (eternal redemption)." Notes: (1) In 1 Corinthians 9:24 , AV, katalambano, a strengthened form of No. 6 (kata, used intensively), is translated "obtain" (RV, "attain"). (2) In Hebrews 11:2,4,39 , AV, martureo, "to bear witness," and in the Passive Voice, "to have witness borne to one," is translated "to obtain" a good report, or "to obtain" witness (RV, "had witness borne"). See WITNESS. (3) For the AV of Hebrews 1:4 , "He hath by inheritance obtained" (RV, "He hath inherited"), and of Ephesians 1:11 , see INHERIT. (4) For the phrase "to obtain mercy," the Passive Voice of eleeo in Matthew 5:7 ; Romans 11:30,31 ; 1 Corinthians 7:25 ; 2 Corinthians 4:1 (RV); 1 Timothy 1:13,16 ; 1 Peter 2:10 (twice), see MERCY.
TDNT - Heurisko means "to find": a. "to find after search," b. "to find accidentally" (passive "to be struck by"), c. "to fetch or get" (of goods), d. "to procure," e. (figuratively) "to gain perception or insight, to discover," and f. "to show or prove oneself," "to be found as." All these nuances but c. occur in the NT, sometimes with reference to ordinary facts, but mostly with reference to things relating to God's work and kingdom, e.g., surprising events (Mt. 1:18; Lk. 9:36; Acts 5:10), or miracles (Mt. 17:27; Mk. 7:30; Jn. 21:6), or supernatural gifts (Mt. 7:7-8), or the gift of God's kingdom (Mt. 13:44), or encounter with Jesus (Mk. 1:37), or experience of God (Lk. 4:17; Rom. 10:20), or gifts of salvation such as pasture in Jn. 10:9, grace in Acts 7:46, mercy in Rom. 4:1, and redemption in Heb. 9:12, or God's call and salvation (Mt. 18:13; 24:46; Lk. 15:5-6), but also with a suggestion of responsibility (Lk. 13:6-7; 17:18) and of the seriousness of divine judgment (Mt. 24:46; 2 Pet. 3:14; Rev. 12:8; 16:20; 18:14; 20:15). [H. PREISKER, II, 769-70]
NAS Usage: find(48), finding(9), finds(10), found(104), get(1), obtained(1), proved(1), regarded(1).
Heurisko - 176x in 166v in NT - Matt. 1:18; 2:8; 7:7f, 14; 8:10; 10:39; 11:29; 12:43f; 13:44, 46; 16:25; 17:27; 18:13, 28; 20:6; 21:2, 19; 22:9f; 24:46; 26:40, 43, 60; 27:32; Mk. 1:37; 7:30; 11:2, 4, 13; 13:36; 14:16, 37, 40, 55; Lk. 1:30; 2:12, 45f; 4:17; 5:19; 6:7; 7:9f; 8:35; 9:12, 36; 11:9f, 24f; 12:37f, 43; 13:6f; 15:4ff, 8f, 24, 32; 17:18; 18:8; 19:30, 32, 48; 22:13, 45; 23:2, 4, 14, 22; 24:2f, 23f, 33; Jn. 1:41, 43, 45; 2:14; 5:14; 6:25; 7:34ff; 9:35; 10:9; 11:17; 12:14; 18:38; 19:4, 6; 21:6; Acts 4:21; 5:10, 22f, 39; 7:11, 46; 8:40; 9:2, 33; 10:27; 11:26; 12:19; 13:6, 22, 28; 17:6, 23, 27; 18:2; 19:1, 19; 21:2; 23:9, 29; 24:5, 12, 18, 20; 27:6, 28; 28:14; Rom. 4:1; 7:10, 21; 10:20; 1 Co. 4:2; 15:15; 2 Co. 2:13; 5:3; 9:4; 11:12; 12:20; Gal. 2:17; Phil. 2:8; 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:17f; Heb. 4:16; 9:12; 11:5; 12:17; 1 Pet. 1:7; 2:22; 2 Pet. 3:14; 2 Jn. 1:4; Rev. 2:2; 3:2; 5:4; 9:6; 12:8; 14:5; 16:20; 18:14, 21f, 24; 20:11, 15
Heurisko - over 400x in Septuagint - Gen 2:20; 4:14f; 5:24; 6:8; 8:9; 11:2; 16:7; 18:3, 26, 28ff; 19:19; 26:12, 19, 32; 27:20; 30:14, 27; 31:32f, 35, 37; 32:5, 19; 33:8, 10, 15; 34:11; 36:24; 37:15, 17, 32; 38:20, 22f; 39:4; 41:38; 44:6, 8ff, 12, 16f, 34; 47:14, 25, 29; 50:4; Exod 5:11; 9:19; 12:19; 14:9; 15:22; 16:25, 27; 21:16; 22:2, 4, 6ff; 33:13, 16f; 34:9; 35:23f; Lev 5:11; 6:3f; 12:8; 14:21f, 30, 32; 25:26, 47; Num 6:21; 11:11, 15; 15:32f; 20:14; 31:50; 32:5; 35:27; Deut 4:29f; 17:2; 18:10; 20:11; 21:1, 17; 22:3, 14, 17, 20, 22f, 25, 27f; 24:1; 28:2; 31:17; Josh 2:22; 10:17; Judg 5:30; 6:13, 17; 9:33; 14:12; 15:15; 17:8f; 20:48; 21:12; Ruth 1:9; 2:2, 10, 13; 1 Sam 1:18; 9:4, 8, 11, 13, 20; 10:2f, 7, 16, 21; 12:5; 13:15f, 19, 22; 14:17, 30; 16:22; 20:3, 21, 29, 36; 21:3; 23:17; 24:19; 25:8, 28; 26:18; 27:5; 29:3, 6, 8; 30:11; 31:3, 8; 2 Sam 7:27; 14:22; 15:25; 16:4; 17:12, 20; 20:6; 1 Kgs 1:3, 52; 11:19, 29; 12:24; 13:14, 24, 28; 15:18; 18:5, 10; 19:19; 20:36f; 21:20; 2 Kgs 2:17; 4:29, 39; 7:9; 9:21, 35; 10:13, 15; 12:5, 9f, 18; 14:14; 16:8; 17:4; 18:15; 19:4, 8; 20:13; 22:8f, 13; 23:2, 24; 25:19; 1 Chr 4:40f; 10:3, 8; 17:25; 20:2; 24:4; 26:31; 28:9; 29:8, 17; 2 Chr 2:17; 5:11; 15:2, 4, 15; 19:3; 20:16, 25; 21:17; 22:8; 25:5, 24; 29:16, 29; 30:21, 25; 31:1; 32:4; 34:14f, 17, 21, 30, 32f; 35:7, 17ff; Ezra 2:62; 4:15, 19; 6:2; 7:16; 8:15, 25; 10:18; Neh 5:8; 7:5, 64; 8:14; 9:8, 32; 13:1; Esth 1:5; 2:9, 15, 17; 5:8; 6:2; 7:3; 8:5, 12; Job 11:7; 17:10; 19:28; 20:8; 23:3; 28:12f, 20; 32:13; 33:10; 34:11; 37:13, 23; 39:30; 42:15; Ps 10:15; 17:3; 21:8; 36:2; 37:10, 36; 46:1; 69:20; 73:10; 76:5; 84:3; 89:20; 107:4; 116:3; 119:143, 162; 132:5f; Prov 1:28; 2:5, 20; 3:3, 13; 4:22; 5:4; 7:15; 8:9, 17; 12:2; 14:6; 16:7, 31; 18:22; 19:7f; 20:6; 21:21; 24:14; 25:16; 31:10; Eccl 3:11; 7:14, 24, 26ff; 8:17; 9:10, 15; 11:1; 12:10; Song 3:1ff; 5:6ff; 8:1, 10; Isa 30:14; 34:14; 35:9; 37:36; 41:12; 48:17; 51:3; 53:9; 55:6; 58:3; 59:5; 65:1, 8, 18; Jer 2:5, 24, 34; 5:1, 26; 6:16; 10:18; 11:9; 14:3; 29:13; 31:2; 41:3, 8, 12; 42:16; 45:3; 48:27; 50:7, 20, 24; 52:25; Lam 1:3, 6, 19; 2:16; Ezek 22:30; 27:33; 28:15; Dan 1:19f; 2:25, 35; 5:11, 14, 27; 6:4f, 11, 13, 22f; 8:26; 9:3, 25; 11:19; 12:1; Hos 2:6f; 5:6; 6:3; 9:10; 12:4, 8; 14:8; Amos 2:16; 8:12; Jonah 1:3; Mic 1:13; Zeph 3:13; Zech 12:5; Mal 2:6
When the Lord Jesus comes, you will be found...personally by Him. We need to be reminded of this great sobering truth. There will be nothing hidden or overlooked in that day. Everything will be brought to light when the Lord Jesus comes. And in this verse Peter focuses on the pronoun "by Him".
The idea is, “Do your best to be found with respect to Him, in relation to Him,” thus, with respect to His coming and at that time by Him.
Hiebert adds that
the aorist infinitive...looks forward to the definite judicial finding by Christ, the Judge, when the readers shall stand before Him."
Because we do not know the day or the hour of our Lord’s return, we must constantly be ready. The believer who starts to neglect the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13-note) will gradually develop a cold heart, a worldly attitude, and an unfaithful life (Lk 12:36).
Jesus encouraged His disciples with a similar motivating exhortation
"Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes" (Lk 12:43)
Paul likewise prayed for the saints at Thessalonica
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1Th 5:23-note)
And John expresses a similar desire in this exhortation
"And now little children abide in Him so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Jn 2:28)
In sum, "to be found" is a call for us to be alert, abiding in the Vine, occupied with our Father's work, focused on the things above not on the things of the earth, all the while redeeming every opportunity He graciously gives us to perform Kingdom work. And if we keep in the forefront of our mind the glorious privilege we have of entering the Day of God, we will be stirred in our spirits by His Spirit to be "sincere and blameless until the day of Christ" (Php 1:10-note) (click for discussion of "Three Divine Days")