Greek word - (zeteo G2212)
Quiz - Choose the answer that is closest to what you think SEEK is.
A - to put
B - to try to get
C - to look for
D - to be concerned with
Problem - Outdated
KJV Example - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).
Explanation
Most English dictionaries give the meaning that this word has in the Bible. At dictionary.com it is the first two definitions.
The meaning of the Greek word for seek is no different. Strong says it means to seek. Thayer says it means to seek in order to find. From these two Greek dictionaries, we can see that the word, seek, was more common a hundred years ago.
Seek means to search for or look for. It is used frequently in the King James Version (244 times). It is rarely used in our society except in the title of the game, Hide and Seek (which dates back to 1665).
Seek is outdated. No one says, "I am seeking a grocery store," or "Get the flashlight out, we need to seek my contact."
Most Bible versions use the word, seek. Among those that don't, there seems to be confusion as to what seeking really is. Many incorrectly translate this word as "be concerned with" or "put". That is not what it means. It means to look for.
God cannot be seen, but He nonetheless exists. If anyone is to find God, he must seek Him, look for Him. "You will seek Me (look for Me) and find Me, when you will search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). This is a common theme in the Bible that most people miss. We are to spend our lives looking for God.
Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." This does not mean to put the kingdom of God first or to be concerned with it first. It means to look for it first. Above all else, look for God's empire and His right way. If you look for it, you will find it.
In the Bible, seek is look for.
Modern Synonym - look for
Bible Version Tally (how other versions translate this word) - seek (32 of 50), look for (1 of 50)
Breakthrough Version - "Look for God's empire first and His right way, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).