behold Meaning, Definition & Usage

Be*hold" transitive verb

Etymology

OE. bihalden, biholden, AS. behealdan to hold, have in sight; pref. be- + healdan to hold, keep; akin to G. behalten to hold, keep. See Hold.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Beheld (past participle formerly Beholden now used only as adjective participial adjective ); present participle & verbal noun Beholding

Definitions

1. To have in sight; to see clearly; to look at; to regard with the eyes.

   When he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Num. xxi. 9.

   Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John. i. 29.

   Syn. -- To scan; gaze; regard; descry; view; discern.

Be*hold" intransitive verb

Definitions

1. To direct the eyes to, or fix them upon, an object; to look; to see.

   And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne, . . . a lamb as it had been slain. Rev. v. 6.