SOUNDING OUT:
Behold

  There are thirteen Greek words used in the KJV of the Bible that are translated “behold.” We will look at four of them to get a clearer understanding of how we are to look to Him to be lightened. These four words give us what we need to know. As we understand these four, we will know what we are responsible to do.

  The first word is katoptrizomai. It is used only once, and it means “to behold, as in a mirror.”

  This teaches the principle that we are changed into the same image we are beholding. If we are beholding glory, what kind of image are we going to be changed into? Right, glory. What we look at we become. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith….”

  Looking unto whom? Jesus. You look unto Jesus. When you look unto him, you see yourself in him. When we look into the mirror of God’s Word we are to see the glory of the Lord. When we behold that glory, others see the reflection of the glory of the Lord on our faces.

  II Corinthians 4:6 says we find “the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Jesus said in John 14:9 that “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” And so, as we look at Jesus, we see ourselves in him, and we realize what is ours as sons of God.

  This is why in the first century, people took knowledge of the apostles, that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13) Because they could see it written on their faces. The apostles reflected the glory of God to a world in dire need of it.

  A second word translated “behold” in the Bible is theaomai. It occurs 24 times, and it means “to behold, as in a theater.” Although our theaters today are much different than those of Bible times, the beholding of the theater-goers is much the same.

  In the old Greek and Roman theaters of antiquity, there might have only two or three players who played all the parts. They played all the parts simply by using different masks to cover their faces. Each character had a different face. That’s where we got the word “person.” Person comes from persona which means change of face.

  Theaomai, to behold, as in a theater, brings to the viewing, the eagerness and enjoyment of theater-goers. To behold as in a theater is to become engrossed in what you see and eager for that action and plot to develop. It means to participate with delight, with enthusiasm. Above all, the usage of this word means, to behold, to participate with identification. You identify yourself with the characters that are being played on the stage.

  We beheld his glory with eagerness, with anticipation, with identification.

  What an account! This same Jesus is coming back, and you are going to see him come as they saw him go. You see, we will be identified with him. Remember it says when he comes; we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. This is all involved here. He’s coming back, and then we’re going to see him as they saw him go. To be identified with him, with eagerness, with delight, with enthusiasm. Looking unto Jesus not only means his presence is reflected in our face. But also, as we behold him, we participate with delight, with eagerness, with enthusiasm and with identification with him.

  The third word translated “behold” in the Bible is the word, theoreõ, “to behold as in a position of privilege.” It is used 57 times. This word is used regarding the representatives at the Olympics who are seated in the official box seats. They are the “top brass,” “the VIPs.” It means to behold from a position of privilege, the privilege of the top representative.

  They had been with Jesus; what greater position of privilege could there be. Jesus’ prayer for his own was that they would behold from the position of privilege, as the official representative in the best box seat in the house. This was his desire for you and me. We have full access to our loving heavenly Father. We do not view Him from a distance with binoculars hoping to catch a view. We have been ushered into the best seats in the house, which have been reserved for us. God knew we were coming and saved them just for us. Enjoy the view!

  The fourth and final word translated “behold” in the Word of God is epopteuõ, “to behold, as an eyewitness.” It is used only two times. This word is used of individuals who had been initiated into the innermost secrets of Greek religion. The ones who were no longer pledges or neophytes, but ones who had been initiated and were full-fledged members of the sorority or the fraternity of their religion.

  This is talking about Peter, James, and John who went up on the mount of transfiguration with the Lord Jesus Christ. When they were up there, they “beheld,” they were eyewitnesses. They beheld and fully participated. They saw this come to pass before their very eyes. We, too, have been called to be eyewitnesses of the power of God in manifestation.

  When we look upon Jesus, we see him as he is, face to face. As God’s sons we have been fully-initiated in all He has made available. Our privilege is to be involved with our Lord Jesus Christ as eyewitnesses. We work together with Him and God as we see God’s will come to pass. When we operate manifestations we become eyewitnesses of His power.

  In other words, the unbelievers look at you and are electrified by what they see. We work together with God, and they behold what we are doing. They are eyewitness of the greatness of God’s Word alive and living in you. The same truth, of course, is stipulated in chapter 3:

  The heathen behold your manner of life and your reverence for God, and it makes a difference.

  These are the four Greek words translated “behold” in the Bible. Now we have a better idea of what it means to look unto Him. We are to behold ourselves as in a glass. When we look at God’s Word, it should be like looking in a mirror. We see ourselves in it. We also behold as theater-goers totally engrossed with what we see. We delight in, participate in, and identify with what we see. We behold from the best seats in the house, from a position of privilege that God has reserved for us as His children. Yes indeed, we behold as eyewitnesses fully participating and operating the power of God in our lives.

  Our choice is to look within and be miserable, to look around us and be distracted or to look at Him and be radiant. It makes a difference where we focus our attention. When we set our attention on things above, and we set our affection there, too, then we will like David say:

  This word “lightened” is the Hebrew word, nahar. This is the only place it is used in the entire Old Testament. Although some list 5 other occurrences of the word, they are a homonym which means to flow together. Nahar means “to be lighten as from the direct light of the sun.” As the earth is dependent upon the sun as its source of light and power so we are to be dependent upon God for our illumination. Apart from Him we have no light; the only light we have comes from Him. Psalm 34:5 communicates that we are to look with dependence, interest, and deep affection.

  The LXX uses the Greek word phõtizõ, which means “to give light,” “to bring to light,” “enlighten,” “illuminate,” “to cause something to exist and thus come to light and become clear to all.” We also find it in the following verses.

  God lights every man’s way by His revealed Word.

  God can make even the hidden things of darkness manifest.

  This is God’s desire for each one of us in this administration of grace.

  God wants us to see. We are enlightened as we see the truth of ourselves from His wonderful, matchless Word.

  We are dependent upon God for our light. The secret of life is not to look at yourself or anyone else, but to look at Him. We must get our eyes off of ourselves and our own inadequacies, and onto the Father and His glory. Remember to behold the glory of the Lord, for we become what we look at. So, set your affection on things above, and you will never be disappointed.