Contemplated (2657) (katanoeo from kata = down [kata can be used to intensify the meaning] + noéo = to perceive or think) means literally to put the mind down on something and so to observe or consider carefully and attentively. It means to fix one’s eyes or mind upon and to perceive clearly. Katanoeo means to look carefully, cautiously, observantly. The idea is to think about something very carefully or consider closely which denotes the action of one's mind apprehending certain facts about a thing so as to give one the proper and decisive thought about the thing considered. Vine writes that katanoeo... denotes the action of the mind in apprehending certain facts about a thing; TDNT writes that katanoeo... is closely related to the simple noeo, whose literal meaning is intensified, “to direct one’s whole mind to an object,” also from a higher standpoint to immerse oneself in it and hence to apprehend it in its whole compass... It can also denote 2. critical observation of an object: “to consider reflectively,” “to study,” “to examine,”... 3. In literary Greek katanoeo...means especially apprehension of a subject by intellectual absorption in it: “to consider,” “to ponder,” “to come to know,” “to grasp,” “to understand”... The emphasis in NT usage lies in the visual sphere. As a verb of seeing... especially in Luke... denotes perception by the eyes (Mt 7:3 = Lk 6:41, here paradoxically impossible; 27.39" class="scriptRef">Acts 27:39), attentive scrutiny of an object (James 1:23, 24), the observation or consideration of a fact or process, whether natural or miraculous (Lk. 12:24, 27; Ro 4:19; Acts 7:31 f.; 11:6). (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) Katanoeo is used 14 times in the (Matthew; Luke 4x; Acts 4x; Romans; Hebrews 2x; James 2x) and is translated: consider, 4; contemplated, 1; detected, 1; look, 1; look more closely, 1; looked, 1; looks, 1; notice, 2; observe, 1; observing, 1. The KJV translates it: behold, 4; consider, 7; discover, 1; perceive, 2. Matthew 7:3 (note) And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Luke 6:41 And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; and they have no storeroom nor barn; and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!...27 Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. Luke 20:23 But He detected (took note of, perceived) their trickery and said to them, Acts 7:31 And when Moses saw it, he began to marvel at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely (observe carefully), there came the voice of the Lord: 32 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.' And Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look. Acts 11:6 and when I had fixed my gaze upon it and was observing (carefully reflecting upon) it I saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the crawling creatures and the birds of the air. Acts 27:39 And when day came, they could not recognize the land; but they did observe (describing an intensive sensory perception of) a certain bay with a beach, and they resolved to drive the ship onto it if they could. Romans 4:19 (note) And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; Hebrews 3:1 (note) Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider (aorist imperative) Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. Hebrews 10:24 (note) and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, James 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks (gives attentive scrutiny, studies, examines carefully) at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. Katanoeo is used 23 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Gen 3:6; 42:9; Exod 2:11; 19:21; 33:8; Nu 32:8f; 1Ki 3:21; Job 23:15; 30:20; Ps 10:14; 22:17; 37:32; 91:8; 94:9; 119:15, 18; 142:4; Isa 5:12; 57:1; 59:16; Da 7:21; Hab 3:2). For example, the psalmist prays... Open my eyes, that I may behold (LXX = katanoeo) wonderful things from Thy law. (Psalm 119:18) Isaiah records a negative use... And their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute, and by wine; But they do not pay attention to the deeds of the LORD, Nor do they consider (LXX = katanoeo) the work of His hands. (Isaiah 5:12) Katanoeo is the verb Jesus used in His famous question... "And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice (katanoeo) the log that is in your own eye?" (see note Matthew 7:3) Jesus uses katanoeo twice exhorting His listeners to... Consider (aorist imperative) the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; and they have no storeroom nor barn; and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! (Luke 12:24) Consider (aorist imperative) the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. (Luke 12:27) The writer of Hebrews uses katanoeo in his command... Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, Consider (aorist imperative) Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. (Hebrews 3:1) (Comment: Katanoeo is a strong verb meaning "to fix the mind on". It implies attention and continuous observation. The idea is, “Put your mind on Jesus and let it remain there, that you may understand Who He is and what He wills." They were allowing their attention to relax so far as Messiah was concerned, and their gaze was turning back upon the Old Covenant sacrifices) James uses this verb twice writing... if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks (katanoeo = carefully looking = not a hasty superficial glance) at his natural face in a mirror for once he has looked (katanoeo) at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. (James 1:23-24) The picture painted by Paul's use of katanoeo here in Romans 4:19 is striking -- Not being weak as respects faith, Abraham considered attentively his physical condition -- he stared his obstacles right in the face! The point, however, is that Abraham was not blind to facts, nor did he ignore difficulties. The life of faith is not a life with no problems or obstacles but it is a life that is lived by faith in the One Who is able to do exceeding abundantly. Abraham's circumstances, so impossible to nature, in no way weakened his faith. What is your impossible situation? Are you growing weak in faith? Or are you holding steadfastly to His sure Word? Abraham thought about the matter. He fixed his thoughts, his mind, his attention upon the matter. But he did not give in to the thoughts. He was not weak in faith. 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