κατασκοπ-έω G2684
spy out, reconnoiter, investigate secretly
This verb means to observe closely for intelligence purposes, typically military reconnaissance or espionage. Galatians 2:4 describes 'false brothers' who 'slipped in to spy out our freedom in Christ Jesus.' The aorist infinitive expresses their hostile purpose—secret investigation with intent to undermine. Classical usage confirms the military sense of scouting enemy territory. The translation witnesses uniformly preserve the espionage imagery. Paul presents these infiltrators as reconnaissance agents for the circumcision party, gathering intelligence to launch attacks on gospel freedom. Their investigation is not honest inquiry but hostile surveillance.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Paul characterizes the false brothers as spies who secretly infiltrated 'to spy out our freedom'—conducting surveillance of Gentile Christian practice to find grounds for requiring circumcision. The infinitive of purpose shows their mission was reconnaissance, not fellowship. Like military scouts surveying enemy positions, they gathered intelligence to support the circumcision party's campaign against Paul's gospel of freedom. 1×
AR["لِيَتَجَسَّسوا-على"]·ben["গুপ্তচর-করতে"]·DE["ausspionieren"]·EN["to-spy-out"]·FR["κατασκοπῆσαι"]·heb["לְרַגֵּל"]·HI["जसुसि-करने"]·ID["memata-matai"]·IT["kataskopēsai"]·jav["supados-ngintip"]·KO["염탐하려"]·PT["espiar"]·RU["выследить"]·ES["para-espiar"]·SW["kupeleleza"]·TR["casusluk-etmek"]·urd["جاسوسی-کرنا"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
κατασκοπ-έω, future -σκέψομαι: aorist -εσκεψάμην:— view closely, spy out, reconnoitre, κ. ὅποι.. Refs 5th c.BC+ reconnoitre, Aen. Tact.Refs 5th c.BC+; keep a look-out, of ships, Refs 2nd c.BC+ —middle, -Refs 6th c.BC+; inspect, Refs 2nd c.BC+; of a medical examination, Refs 2nd c.AD+