\Be*hold"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beheld}(p. p. formerly
{Beholden}, now used only as a p. a.); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Beholding}.] [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}.]
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"\, v. i.
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.