ὄψις
the features, outward appearance
Definition
The Greek word ὄψις primarily refers to the act of seeing or the thing seen, specifically the outward appearance or visible form of something. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes the physical face or countenance, as seen when Lazarus emerges from the tomb with his face wrapped (John 11:44). It also refers to the general outward appearance of things, which Jesus warns against judging by in John 7:24. In Revelation 1:16, it describes the radiant, sun-like appearance of the risen Christ's face.
Biblical Usage
ὄψις is used only three times in the New Testament, all within distinct contexts. In John 7:24, it is used abstractly for judging by 'appearance.' In John 11:44, it is concrete, describing Lazarus's physical 'face.' In Revelation 1:16, it is used in a visionary, symbolic description of Christ's glorious countenance. This shows its flexibility from a literal face to a metaphorical appearance.
Etymology
Derived from the verb ὀπτάνομαι (optanomai, G3700), meaning 'to appear' or 'to be seen.' It is related to ὄψ (ops), meaning 'eye' or 'face.' The root idea is connected to sight and visibility, giving the noun its core meanings of 'look,' 'appearance,' or 'face.'
Semantic Range
ὄψις is theologically significant as it highlights a key biblical theme: the danger of judging by superficial, external appearances versus perceiving true spiritual reality (John 7:24). In Revelation 1:16, it is central to the apocalyptic vision, describing the transcendent, glorious appearance of the risen Christ, which is a revelation of his divine nature and authority.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, the 'face' (ὄψις) was closely tied to honor, shame, and identity. A person's countenance revealed their emotional state and social standing. Jesus's command in John 7:24 not to judge 'according to appearance' directly challenged cultural norms that often valued external impressions and social optics over truth and righteousness.
πρόσωπον (prosōpon, G4383) — The more common word for 'face' or 'person,' often used in personal interaction and presence. εἶδος (eidos, G1491) — Refers to form, shape, or kind, often emphasizing the visible species or type.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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