ὀπώρα

autumn, autumnal fruits

Definition

ὀπώρα refers specifically to the season of autumn or late summer, and by extension, the ripe fruits harvested during that time. In the biblical context, it evokes the image of a full harvest, representing abundance, maturity, and the culmination of a growth cycle. Its sole New Testament occurrence in Revelation 18:14 uses it metaphorically to describe the luxurious and desirable goods that have vanished from Babylon. The word carries a dual sense of both the fruitful season itself and the prized produce it yields.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Revelation 18:14. Here, it appears in a lament over the fallen city of Babylon, listed among the luxurious commodities—'the fruit for which your soul longed'—that have been lost. The usage is metaphorical, employing the image of autumnal harvest to symbolize wealth, pleasure, and earthly desires that are suddenly and utterly destroyed in God's judgment.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek words ὀψέ (opse, meaning 'late') and ὥρα (hōra, meaning 'season' or 'time'), ὀπώρα literally means 'the late season.' It originally denoted the latter part of the summer, leading into autumn, the time of ripening and harvest. This etymological construction directly points to its core meaning of a specific, fruitful period in the annual cycle.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, ὀπώρα is theologically significant in its context. In Revelation 18:14, it represents the fleeting and ultimately perishable nature of worldly wealth and luxury. The loss of the 'autumn fruit' symbolizes the sudden and complete judgment of God upon systems of human pride and materialism (Babylon). Understanding this metaphor enriches the reading by contrasting temporary earthly abundance with the eternal kingdom of God.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, autumn was a critical season marking the culmination of the agricultural year, a time of harvesting vital crops like grapes, olives, and grain. 'Autumnal fruits' were not just food but represented security, prosperity, and the successful result of labor. This cultural understanding of harvest as a symbol of abundance and fulfillment is essential for grasping the metaphorical weight the word carries in Revelation.

καρπός (karpos, G2590) — a more general term for 'fruit' or 'result,' not specific to a season. θερισμός (therismos, G2326) — emphasizes the act of 'harvest' or reaping, rather than the season or the ripe produce itself.

Word Details

Scripture References