What does ψηλαφάω (psēlapháō) mean in the Bible?
ψηλαφάω (psēlapháō) is a Greek word meaning "to touch".
Greek · G5584
ψηλαφάω
To touch
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
ψηλαφάωG5584
Pronunciationpsēlapháō
What does ψηλαφάω (psēlapháō) mean in the Bible?
ψηλαφάω (psēlapháō) is a Greek word meaning "to touch".
Full entry for ψηλαφάω (G5584) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G5584?
The BSB source-word alignment has 4 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include [ a mountain that ] can be touched (1), reach out for (1), Touch (1), touched [with] (1).
Where does ψηλαφάω (psēlapháō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Luke 24:39. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 John (1), Acts (1), Hebrews (1), Luke (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It[ a mountain that ] can be touched1×Hebrews 12:18
reach out for1×Acts 17:27
Touch1×Luke 24:39
touched [with]1×1 John 1:1
Show sample aligned rows
Luke 24:39ψηλαφήσατέtoTouchVerb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person PluralActs 17:27ψηλαφήσειανtoreach out forVerb - Aorist Optative Active - 3rd Person PluralHebrews 12:18ψηλαφωμένῳto[ a mountain that ] can be touchedVerb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Neuter Singular1 John 1:1ἐψηλάφησανtotouched [with]Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowLuke 24:39
Aligned rows4
Books represented4
Luke1Acts1Hebrews11 John1
Source forms
ἐψηλάφησαν1xepsēlaphēsan1 John 1:1
ψηλαφήσατέ1xpsēlaphēsateLuke 24:39
ψηλαφήσειαν1xpsēlaphēseianActs 17:27
ψηλαφωμένῳ1xpsēlaphōmenōHebrews 12:18
Parsing patterns
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural1xLuke 24:39
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural1x1 John 1:1
Verb - Aorist Optative Active - 3rd Person Plural1xActs 17:27
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Neuter Singular1xHebrews 12:18
Evidence Summary
Greek word. to touch
Strong'sG5584
Lexical occurrences4 versesGreek text appearances4 timesWord forms4 forms4 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Source Gloss
to touch
Extended definitionSource: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
(ψάω, to touch), [in LXX for מוּשׁ, מָשַׁשׁ pi., etc. ;]
1to feel or grope about; with accusative, to feel about for, search after: metaphorically, of seeking God, Act.17:27.
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpusGreek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
4 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
Luke 24:39Verb Second Person Plural Aorist Active Imperative
ψηλαφήσατέyhlafhsate
I feel, touch, handle, grope for
Read verseActs 17:27Verb Third Person Plural Aorist Active Optative
ψηλαφήσειανyhlafhseian
I feel, touch, handle, grope for
Read verseHebrews 12:18Verb Present Passive Participle Dative Singular Neuter
ψηλαφωμένῳyhlafwmenw
I feel, touch, handle, grope for
Read verse1 John 1:1Verb Third Person Plural Aorist Active Indicative
ἐψηλάφησανeyhlafhsan
I feel, touch, handle, grope for
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups4Aligned forms4TensesAorist, PresentVoicesActive, Passive
Verse guides are not available for this word yet, so verse references remain plain evidence markers.
Tenses
Voices
Imperativecommand or strong request1×
Aorist ActiveLuke 24:391×
Optativewish or remote possibility1×
Aorist ActiveActs 17:271×
Participleverbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality1×
Present PassiveHeb 12:181×
Indicativestates a fact or reality1×
Aorist Active1 John 1:11×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 4 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
aorist3present1
Voice
active3passive1
Mood
indicative1optative1participle1imperative1
NT Occurrences
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Origins
ψηλαφάω is built from these roots:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.