ὀπή
opḗ
G3692 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primary meaning: an opening or aperture, such as a hole, gap, or fissure in a surface. In context, it can refer specifically to a cave or cavern (a natural hollow in the earth or rock), and less frequently to a spring or the mouth of a well as an orifice through which water emerges. The semantic range includes both broad and specific physical openings in natural or constructed surfaces.
Semantic Range
hole, opening, cleft, cavern, cave, aperture, mouth of a well or spring
Root / Etymology
Derived from the verb ὀπτάνομαι (to appear, be visible), associated with seeing or something being visible or open; possibly related to the root ὀπ- (to see, to look), but the precise connection is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in Koine and Hellenistic Greek, the word is rare and primarily occurs in biblical and related Jewish Greek literature (Septuagint, New Testament, and apocryphal texts). In the Greek of the Septuagint and New Testament, ὀπή occurs almost exclusively in contexts referring to natural features such as clefts, caves, or holes in the earth. Classical Greek more commonly used σπήλαιον (spḗlaion) or σπήλαια for caves; ὀπή is less common for large caverns and instead emphasizes the aspect of an opening. In some cases, it can refer metaphorically to the opening or mouth of a well or spring, indicating a source of water. English translations often render it simply as "cave" or "hole," but these may not fully express the nuance of an aperture or natural fissure. The term does not carry specialized religious or ethnic connotations and is concrete and descriptive.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from ὀπτάνομαι; a hole (as if for light), i.e. cavern; by analogy, a spring (of water):--cave, place.
Root Family
ὀπή (opē) — opening, aperture, hole, cavern
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3692-02 |
ὀπῆς | opes | N GEN F SG |
opening | of an opening | 1 |
G3692-01 |
ὀπαῖς | opais | N DAT F PL |
to openings | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3692-01 |
Hebrews 11:38 | ὀπαῖς | opais | N DAT F PL |
to openings | |
G3692-02 |
James 3:11 | ὀπῆς | opes | N GEN F SG |
opening | of an opening |