What does it mean to behold?

Dear friend

There are words and phrases we read in the scriptures which we may pass over, because we assume we understand what they mean. For me one such word was "behold". It turns out that on many occasions, just as I had thought, it simply means "look". However there are instances when an occurrence of behold holds much greater significance. This is especially true when spoken in some form of announcement.

The word "behold" has very interesting roots and variants including from Greek, German, French and Latin. It is used as an interjection for emphasis. When you read "behold" it could be saying, "be sure to see", "don't miss this", "don't neglect to take notice", "remember this", "this is of utmost importance". With this expanded meaning in mind consider (or reconsider) these instances of "behold" by inserting these etymological emphasis phrases in place of behold.

Firstly, John the Baptist and then Pilate from the New Testament, John 1:29 and John 19:5.

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

And then the words of the Father announcing to the people at Bountiful the arrival of Christ following His Resurrection, as found in the Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 11:7.

7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.

I think that sometimes, if we replace in our mind as we read, the word "behold" with phrases like "take notice because this is very important", or "be sure to see this and never forget it", it adds to our understanding of the speaker's or writer's full intent.

Perhaps we should "behold" how all of the examples quoted relate directly to the Lord Jesus Christ (and there are more). He is certainly the one we must see as beong of utmost importance, remember, not miss, and look to every day of our lives. I hope we will always "Behold the Lamb of God, ... the Man, ... the Beloved Son".

Samuel.