International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ESPYes-pi':
"Espy" in modern English means "to catch sight of," rather than "to explore secretly." the Revised Version (British and American) therefore retains it in Genesis 42:27, "He espied his money" (Hebrew ra'ah, "see"), while in Joshua 14:7 "espy out the land" (the King James Version) becomes "spy out the land." the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "watch" for "espy" in Jeremiah 48:19, and "searched out" for "espied" in Ezekiel 20:6, with a gain in accuracy of rendering
(compare the context).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To keep close watch; to perceive with the eyes; to discover, as a distant object partly concealed, or not obvious to notice; to see at a glance; to discern unexpectedly; to spy; as, to espy land; to espy a man in a crowd.
2. (v. t.) To inspect narrowly; to examine and keep watch upon; to watch; to observe.
3. (v. i.) To look or search narrowly; to look about; to watch; to take notice; to spy.
4. (n.) A spy; a scout.
Strong's Hebrew
6822. tsaphah -- to look out or about, spy, keep watch... behold,
espy, look up well, wait for, keep the watchman. A primitive root;
properly, to lean forward, ie To peer into the distance
... /hebrew/6822.htm - 6k 8447. tor -- a plait, turn
... 2), standard (1), turn (2). chapman, sent to descry, be excellent, merchantman,
search out, seek, espy out. Or tor {tore}; from tuwr ...
/hebrew/8447.htm - 6k
7200. raah -- to see
... 1), visit (1), watch (2). advise cause to, show self, sight of others, espy,
stare, surely, think, view,. A primitive root; to see ...
/hebrew/7200.htm - 7k
7270. ragal -- to go about on foot
... spies (11), spy (9), taught to walk (1). backbite, slander, espy out, teach
to go, view. A primitive root; to walk along; but only ...
/hebrew/7270.htm - 6k
