Lexical Definition

‎ψηλαφάω‎ psēlapháō (psay-laf-ah'-o) to touch ^G:V
from the base of ‎ψάλλω‎ (compare ‎ψῆφος‎)

feel after, handle, touch.

• to manipulate, i.e. verify by contact
• figuratively, to search for

Abbott-Smith

ψηλαφάω, -ῶ (< ψάω, to touch), [in LXX for מוּשׁ, משׁשׁ pi., etc. ;]
1. to feel or grope about; c. acc, to feel about for, search after: metaph., of seeking God, Ac 17:27.
2. to feel, touch, handle: c. acc. pers., Lk 24:39, I Jo 1:1; προσεληλύθατε ψηλαφωμένῳ (ὄρει ?), He 12:18 (R, txt., a mount that might be touched; mg., a palpable and kindled fire; v. Westc., in l.).†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

ψηλαφάω-άω,

mostly used in present: future -ήσω[LXX]aorist ἐψηλάφησα[LXX]passive, future ψηλαφηθήσομαι[LXX]: aorist ἐψηλαφήθην [Refs 1st c.AD+]:—feel or grope about to find a thing, like a blind man or hoodman-blind, χερσὶ ψηλαφόων (Epic dialect for -άων), of the Cyclops when blinded, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ψηλαφῶν οὐκ ἐδυνάμην εὑρεῖν [τὸ ἱμάτιον] [Refs 5th c.BC+]

__2 with accusative of things, feel about for, grope or search after, ἐψηλαφῶμεν ἐν σκότῳ τὰ πράγματα [Refs 5th c.BC+]; εἰ.. ψηλαφήσειαν αὐτὸν (i.e. τὸν θεὸν) καὶ εὕροιεν [NT]
__II feel, touch, handle, stroke, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; μή ποτε ψηλαφήσῃ με ὁ πατήρ, of Isaac and Jacob, [LXX+NT+4th c.BC+]; especially in in Medicine texts, of uterine examination, [Refs 5th c.BC+]:—passive, ὧν ψηλαφωμένων ὁ ἵππος.. ἥδεται [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III metaphorically, test, examine, τὸν ν [Refs 2nd c.BC+] —passive, S.E.[same place], τὰ ψηλαφηθέντα ὑπ᾽ Ἀντιόχου the attempts made by.., [Refs 1st c.AD+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.Zech.9.13 ☩ LXX.Gen.27.22 ☩ LXX.Nah.3.1 ☩ Acts.17.27 ☩ LXX.Gen.27.12 ☩ Luke.24.39}