UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to touch, to feel, to handle, to feel around for

Semantic entry: 24.76

Semantic domains: Sensory Events and States

Subdomains: Touch, Feel

Definition: to touch by feeling and handling, implying movement over a surface

Notes: There are a number of problems involved in the rendering of RV JN1 1:1 · LV JN1 1:1 · Read together JN1 1:1, for there are several radical shifts in figurative meaning. The specific reference is to ‘the Word of life’ which seems like a purposely ambiguous reference to Jesus Christ. The statement about ‘hearing the Word’ would seem to refer to a message, but the reference to ‘seeing’ implies some type of object. To emphasize the concrete nature of such an object (namely, the person of Christ), this statement about ‘touching’ is included, but in some languages a reference to ‘feeling and handling’ might imply quite a wrong connotation or even improper activity, particularly if the object involved is specifically a person.

Sense 2: to feel around for, to grope for, to try to find

Semantic entry: 27.40

Semantic domains: Learn

Subdomains: Try To Learn

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of ψηλαφάω[a] ‘to touch, to feel,’ 24.76: ψηλαφάω) to make an effort, despite difficulties, to come to know something, when the chances of success in such an enterprise are not particularly great