[Greek] ἀτενίζω (atenizō), [Latin] intendere, [Latin] attendere, [Latin] intueor: to look intently, to fix one’s eyes to, to fasten one’s eyes, to look steadfastly, to focus (stretch) one’s attention to, to stare at, to gaze intently, to focus one’s intent on; Lk.4:20, Lk.22:56, Acts 1:10, Acts 3:4,12, Acts 6:15, Acts 7:55, Acts 10:4, Acts 11:6, Acts 13:9, Acts 14:9, Acts 23:11, 2Cor.3:7,13
The Brady Bunch zoomed before zooming became cool.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to look intently, to observe, to stare, and to gaze earnestly. The Greek playwrights (Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Aristophanes) ‘saw’ this term as a supposition, view, or legal opinion. Polybius’ Histories 6.11.12 states “For if we confine our observations to the power of the Consuls, we should be inclined to regard it as despots; if that of the Senate, as aristocratic; and if finally one looks at the power possessed by the people, it would seem a clear case of democracy. Josephus’ War of the Jews 5.12.1 states “Each victim expired with his eyes fixed on the temple. (The Jews died from the famine created by an invader’s army).
Old Testament: This term, found only twice in the apocryphal books, is used metaphorically. And I command that it be built completely, and that full effort be made to help the men who have returned from the captivity of Jedea, until the house of the Lord is finished (1Esd.6:28). He was not content with his uncounted licentious deeds, but even continued with such audacity that he framed evil reports in the various localities’ and many of his friends, intently observing the king’s purpose, themselves also followed his will (3Macc.2:26).
New Testament: This term essentially means to look intently. It is important to ‘zoom in’ and intuit their reasons (and motivations) for doing so.
Lk. 4:20: All in the synagogue were looking intently at Jesus. (They were amazed at His knowledge and gracious words).
Lk. 22:56: The maid looked intently at Peter, saying this man was with Him. (She saw Peter with the criminal Jesus).
Acts 1:10: The disciples were looking intently at the sky as He was lifted up. (The disciples are wondering ‘Jesus, why are you leaving us!”)
Acts 3:4,12: Why do you all look so intently at us as if we made him walk by our own power or piety? (Did they expect that Peter did this by himself?).
Acts 6:15: The Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen and saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (They were astonished that Stephen looked like an angel).
Acts 7:55: Stephen looked up intently in the heavens. (Stephen saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father).
Acts 10:4: Cornelius looked intently at the angel. (Cornelius was seized with fear).
2Cor.3:7,13: Israelites could not look intently at the cessation that was fading. (The Israelites could not clearly see that God’s glory was going to fade. Their thoughts were rendered dull as if covered with a veil).
Intuit (verb): To know or to understand something because of what you feel or sense rather than because of evidence.
Zoom: A current widely used cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars.
Etymology: In this Greek term atenizo, the a- preposition indicates intensity. The Greek base verb teino means to stretch or to extend. The Latin verb attendere refers to paying attention, attending to, and turning to. The Latin verb intendere refers to stretching out, to turning attention to, to focusing on, and to intending to.
Conclusion:
Intend, intention, attention, attend, intuition, intuitive, intuit
I think it is important to ‘pay attention’ to the original meaning (etymology) of this term which conveys an intense stretching (extending) of one’s attention to another.
In the Greek Hellenistic era, the Greek scholars, writers, and playwrights viewed this term in more nuanced ways (opinions, suppositions, and political views). You can imagine these scholars saying, “I see what you mean,” or “It is my opinion…”
In the New Testament, it was interesting to discover that all these scriptural examples were used in the same way: to look intently. Yet, one needs to further ‘look intently’ to understand the reasons why.
Update: coronavirus pandemic: Many of us have been thrust into this novel format of teleconferencing (Zooming) for the first time. Many companies have already been doing this and still other companies are just catching up. The reality is that this form of communication will continue for some time. One can say that Zooming actually extends this term to the next level and time zone!
An Ode To A Video-Conference Call
They’ll look at you intently,
In your video-conference call,
But don’t let them see too much,
When you’re Donald Ducking,
Wearing no pants at all!