πυνθάνομαι G4441
punthanomai -- to inquire, ask, learn by questioning; to seek information through direct inquiry
The deponent verb punthanomai ('inquire, ask') denotes the act of seeking information through questioning or investigation. Unlike simple erotao ('ask a question') or aiteo ('request'), punthanomai emphasizes the process of inquiry and the desire to ascertain facts. Herod 'inquires' of the chief priests where the Christ is to be born (Matt 2:4). The returning servant 'asks' what the commotion is about (Luke 15:26). The royal official's servants report the hour when his son began to recover, and John uses punthanomai to describe his careful investigation (John 4:52). The word appears twelve times, always in this investigative register. Spanish averiguar, French s'informer, and German sich erkundigen all capture its probing, fact-finding nuance.
Senses
1. inquire, ask, learn by inquiry — To inquire or ask questions in order to ascertain facts, emphasizing the investigative process. Herod inquires where the Messiah is to be born (Matt 2:4); the prodigal's brother asks what is happening (Luke 15:26); the royal official investigates his son's healing (John 4:52). Spanish averiguar, French s'informer, and German erkundigen capture its probing character. 12×
AR["أَسْأَلُ", "أَنْ-يَسْأَلَ", "أَنْ-يَسْتَفْسِرُوا", "اسْتَفْسَرَ", "سَأَلَ", "سَأَلَهُ", "سَأَلَهُمْ", "سَأَلُوا", "عَلِمَ", "كَانَ-يَسْأَلُ"]·ben["অনুসন্ধান-করিতে", "জানিয়া", "জিজ্ঞাসা-করছিল", "জিজ্ঞাসা-করতে", "জিজ্ঞাসা-করলেন", "জিজ্ঞাসা-করিলেন", "জিজ্ঞেস-করছিল", "জিজ্ঞেস-করি", "তিনি-জিজ্ঞেস-করলেন"]·DE["erkundigt-sich", "fragen"]·EN["I-ask", "having-learned", "he-inquired", "he-was-inquiring", "they-were-asking", "they-were-inquiring", "to-ask", "to-inquire", "was-inquiring"]·FR["s'informer"]·heb["הֵבִין", "לִשְׁאֹל", "שָׁאֲלוּ", "שָׁאַל", "שׁוֹאֵל"]·HI["जानकर", "जानने", "पूछ-रहे-थे", "पूछता-था", "पूछता-हूं", "पूछने", "पूछा", "सामर्थ्य-से"]·ID["Ia-bertanya", "bertanya", "bertanya,", "ia-bertanya", "menanyakan", "mengetahui"]·IT["informarsi"]·jav["Kula-nyuwun-pirsa", "dangu", "ndangu", "ndangu,", "nitiliki", "nyuwun-pirsa", "pados-pirsa", "pitaken", "sinau", "taken", "taken,"]·KO["묻고-있었다", "묻기", "묻는다", "물어보았다", "물었다", "알아보고", "알아보라고"]·PT["Perguntou", "perguntar", "perguntava", "perguntavam"]·RU["выспрашивал", "спрашивал", "спрашивали", "спрашивали,", "спрашиваю", "узнав", "узнал", "узнать"]·ES["averiguar", "averigüó", "habiendo-averiguado", "preguntaba", "preguntaban", "preguntar", "pregunto"]·SW["akauliza", "akijua", "aliuliza", "aliulizia", "aulize", "kuuliza", "ninauliza", "wakauliza", "waliuliza"]·TR["araştırmak", "sordu", "sormak", "soruyordu", "soruyorlardı", "soruyorum", "öğrenince"]·urd["معلوم-کر-کے", "پوچھا", "پوچھتا-تھا", "پوچھتا-ہوں", "پوچھتے-تھے", "پوچھنا"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
πυνθάνομαι, Refs 8th c.BC+; poetry also πεύθομαι (which see): Epic dialect imperfect πυνθανόμην Refs: future πεύσομαι Refs 8th c.BC+, Doric dialect πευσοῦμαι Refs 3rd c.BC+ (so codex middle in Refs 4th c.BC+: aorist ἐπῠθόμην Refs 8th c.BC+, etc., Epic dialect and Lyric poetry πυθόμην Refs 8th c.BC+; imperative πυθοῦ, Ionic dialect πυθεῦ Refs 5th c.BC+; Epic dialect optative πεπύθοιτο Refs 8th…