Quick Definition
a question, debate, controversy
Strong's Definition
a searching (properly, the act), i.e. a dispute or its theme
Derivation: from G2212 (ζητέω);
KJV Usage: question
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐκζήτησις (ἐκζητέω, which see), ἐκζητησεως, ἡ;
1. an investigating.
2. a subject of subtle inquiry and dispute (R. V. questioning): 1Ti_1:4 T Tr (WH; see Ellicott at the passage and cf. οἰκονομία). (Basil Caesar., Didymus of Alexandria (circa ).)
STRONGS NT 2214: ζήτησιςζήτησις, ζητήσεως, ἡ (ζητέω);
a. a seeking: (Herodotus), Thucydides 8, 57; others;
b. inquiry (German dieFrage): περί τίνος, Act_25:20.
c. a questioning, debate: Act_15:2 (for Rec. συζήτησις); 7 T Tr text WH; περί τίνος, Joh_3:25.
d. a subject of questioning or debate, matter of controversy: 1Ti_1:4 R G L; ; 2Ti_2:23; Tit_3:9.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ζήτησις zētēsis 7x
a seeking; an inquiry, a question; a dispute, debate, discussion, Joh_3:25 ; 1Ti_6:4 ;
a subject of dispute or controversy, Act_15:2 ; Act_15:7 ; Act_25:20 ; 2Ti_2:23 ; Tit_3:9
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
* ζήτησις , -εως , ἡ
( < ζητέω ).
1. a seeking, search.
2. a questioning, inquiry, debate: Act_15:2 ; Act_15:7 , 2Ti_2:23 , Tit_3:9 ; seq . περί , Joh_3:26 , Act_25:20 , 1Ti_6:4 .†
*† ἐκ -ζήτησις , -εως , ἡ
( < ἐκζητέω ),
a questioning ( RV ), subject for dispute: 1Ti_1:4 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ζήτησις [page 274]
The more technical use of this word, as in Act_25:20 , may be illustrated from the long petition of Dionysia P Oxy II. 237 vi. 7 (A.D. 186) περὶ ἰδιωτικῶν ζητήσεων , concerning private suits, viii. 39 εἴ τις γένοιτο ζήτησις εἰς ὕστερον περὶ τῶν μὴ δεόντως ἀπογραψαμένων , if any inquiry is made hereafter concerning false returns (Edd.) : cf. ib. III. 513 .45 (A.D. 184) ἐάν τις ζήτησις περὶ τούτου πρὸς σὲ γέ [νηται , and from the inscrr. OGIS 629 .9 (A.D. 137) συνέβαινεν δὲ πλειστάκις περὶ τούτου ζητήσεις γείνεσθ [αι με ]ταξὺ τῶν ἐνπόρων πρὸς τοὺς τελώνας . For the ordinary meaning search see a proclamation by the prefect in A.D. 154 5 promising all who had fled from public burdens that, if they returned within three months μ [ηδ ]εμίαν πρὸς α̣[ὐ ]τοὺς ζήτησιν ἔσεσθαι (BGU II. 372 i. 19 ). The subst. occurs in a difficult phrase in an Imperial edict, probably to be assigned to Julian (see Archiv ii. p. 169), P Fay 20 .14 ἐ ]πεὶ Καῖσάρ εἰμι καὶ περικέκμηκα τὸ κλῖνον ἀναλήμψεσθαι οὐχ ὅρων ζητήσεσιν ἀλλὰ σωφρο [σύνῃ , ever since I became Caesar, I have earnestly striven to restore vigour to what was in decline, not by acquisitions of territory (?) but by economy (Edd.). The word survives in literary MGr = search, seeking.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ζήτησις ζήτησις, εως [Etym: ζητέω] "a seeking, seeking for, search for" a thing, c. gen., Hdt. , Soph. , etc. "a searching, search", ποιέεσθαι ζήτησιν τῶν νεῶν "to search" the ships, Hdt. "inquiry, investigation", Plat.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ζήτησις, -εως, ἡ
(ζητέω).
__1. a seeking, search.
__2. a questioning, inquiry, debate: Act.15:2, 7, 2Ti.2:23, Tit.3:9; before περί, Jhn.3:26, Act.25:20, 1Ti.6:4.†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Questions (2214) zetesis
Controversies (2214) (zetesis from zetéo = to seek) is a word used by the Greeks to indicate philosophical inquiry. To some extent zetesis is used with this meaning once in the NT, Luke recording...
Acts 25:20 "And being at a loss how to investigate such matters, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these matters.
Zetesis -7x times - John 3:25; Acts 15:2, 7; 25:20; 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23; Titus 3:9) and not in the Septuagint (LXX)
NAS = controversial questions, 1; controversies, 1; debate, 2; discussion, 1; how to investigate, 1; speculations, 1.
The most common meaning of zetesis refers to the exchange of words for the purpose of disputing, engaging in contentious, controversial questions. Zetesis denotes the preoccupation with pseudo-intellectual theorizing. It pictures one engaging in debates rather than the carrying out of a genuine search for information...
Acts 15:2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate (zetesis) with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue...7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
John 3:25 There arose therefore a discussion (zetesis = "controversy" Amplified) on the part of John's disciples with a Jew about purification.
1 Timothy 1:4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation (zetesis) rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.
1 Timothy 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions (zetesis) and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,
2 Timothy 2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations (zetesis), knowing that they produce quarrels.
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