Brief Overview of ποῦ (Strong’s G4226: pou)

Strong’s G4226: An interrogative adverb meaning “where,” with stronger emphasis than πού. In New Testament usage, often appears in questions of spiritual significance, beginning with the Magi’s search for Christ. Frequently used in contexts of seeking divine presence and truth.

U- Unveiling the Word

Ποῦ represents an emphatic question about location, often carrying spiritual weight. Its first appearance in Matthew’s Gospel – the Magi asking “Where is He?” – sets a pattern of spiritual seeking that continues throughout the New Testament. Early church writers used this term to discuss both physical seeking and spiritual searching for God. Today, it reminds us of the fundamental human quest to find and know God.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ποῦ, pou, POO
• Detailed pronunciation: POO (emphatic stress)
• Part of Speech: Interrogative Adverb

Etymology:

• From PIE *kwo- (interrogative stem)
• Basic interrogative of place
• Related to Latin quo (where)

D – Defining Meanings

• Where?
• To what place?
• In what location?

Translation Options:

• “Where?” – direct question
• “In what place?” – more formal
• “To where?” – direction emphasis

E – Exploring Similar Words

• πού (pou, poo) – where (less emphatic) – See G4225
• ὅπου (hopou, HO-poo) – wherever – See G3699
• ποῖ (poi, POY) – whither – See G4212

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an interrogative adverb, ποῦ:

• Is indeclinable
• Always carries accent
• Used in both direct and indirect questions
• Can combine with other particles

Cross-references:

• Related enclitic: που (somewhere)
• Related compound: οὐδαμοῦ (nowhere)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in significant questions. Thayer’s notes its emphatic nature. LSJ documents extensive classical usage. Vine’s highlights its spiritual applications. Strong’s connects it to earnest seeking. LEH notes Septuagint usage in prophetic contexts. Moulton and Milligan cite dramatic questions in papyri.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 2:2: “Saying, [ποῦ] Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

Additional References:
Matthew 8:20
John 7:35
John 8:14
John 9:12
John 13:36

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Ποῦ captures humanity’s deepest spiritual quest – the search for God. From the Magi’s seeking the newborn King to disciples questioning Jesus’ destination, it reminds us that finding Christ is life’s most important journey. This word proclaims that genuine seeking leads to divine encounter.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word opens Matthew’s Gospel’s first question about Jesus.
2. It appears frequently in John’s Gospel’s identity discussions.
3. Early Christian catechisms used it in teaching about seeking God.

Strong’s G4226: An interrogative adverb meaning “where,” with stronger emphasis than πού. In New Testament usage, often appears in questions of spiritual significance, beginning with the Magi’s search for Christ. Frequently used in contexts of seeking divine presence and truth.

Part of speech: Interrogative Adverb

Tags: seeking, location, questions, spiritual search, Magi, divine presence, inquiry, John’s Gospel, Matthew’s Gospel, finding Christ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​