Brief Overview of δοκέω (G1380: dokéō)

• δοκέω (dokéō) [doh-KEH-oh]
• Etymology: Derived from the Greek root dókos (δόκος), which means “opinion” or “reputation.” The verb dokéō carries the sense of thinking, supposing, or seeming.
• Part of Speech: Verb.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• To think, suppose, or believe: Refers to holding an opinion or estimation about something.
• To seem, appear: Used to indicate how something appears or seems to someone, often with the implication of subjective judgment.
• To consider, regard: Can be employed in the sense of evaluating or deeming something to be true or appropriate.

Further Insights:

• Usage of subjunctive and indicative forms: The verb dokéō often appears in the subjunctive or indicative mood, reflecting the speaker’s consideration, opinion, or perception.
• Connotation of subjectivity: The word frequently carries a subjective nuance, indicating not necessarily what is true, but what is perceived or believed to be true by the subject.

Lexicon Insights:

• BDAG: Dokéō is explained as “to think, suppose, or be of the opinion,” with a focus on subjective belief or appearance. It can indicate how something seems or appears to a person, rather than an objective fact.
• Thayer’s Lexicon: Describes dokéō as being used to express personal opinions or suppositions, with the understanding that these might not reflect reality.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Highlights dokéō as a verb for subjective thinking or perceiving, often translated as “seem” or “suppose.” This usage is common in the New Testament to convey personal perspectives or beliefs.
• Scripture References:
• Matthew 3:9: “And do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.”
• Acts 15:28: “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials…”
• Philippians 3:4: “Although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more…”

Usage in Classical Greek Literature:

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• Homer, Iliad: The verb dokéō is often used by Homer to express the opinions or judgments of characters, particularly in battle scenes where leaders or heroes consider their strategies or the actions of the gods.
• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus employs dokéō to describe how different events or situations appeared to various individuals, often highlighting the subjective nature of their perceptions.
• Plato, Republic: In philosophical dialogues, Plato uses dokéō to explore the difference between appearance and reality, often contrasting doxa (opinion) with epistēmē (knowledge).

Summary of δοκέω (G1380: dokéō)

The Greek verb δοκέω (dokéō), transliterated as dokéō and pronounced [doh-KEH-oh], is a verb that primarily conveys the ideas of thinking, supposing, or seeming. It derives from the Greek root dókos, which relates to opinion or reputation, emphasizing the subjective aspect of the verb’s meaning. In the New Testament, dokéō is often used to describe personal opinions, perceptions, or appearances, as seen in passages like Matthew 3:9 and Acts 15:28. The term is also prevalent in classical Greek literature, where it is used to express the judgments or considerations of characters in works by authors such as Homer, Herodotus, and Plato. Dokéō thus carries a strong connotation of subjective belief or appearance, often reflecting what seems true or right to a person rather than objective reality.