ὁρατός
horatós
G3707 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
capable of being seen, visible to the eye, that which can be perceived through sight; refers to anything perceptible by visual observation, in contrast with what is invisible or hidden. Extended uses may include being manifest or evident, especially in contexts contrasting physical sight with spiritual or unseen realities.
Semantic Range
visible, capable of being seen, seen, manifest, evident, perceptible to the physical eye
Root / Etymology
from the verb ὁράω ('to see, perceive') with the adjectival suffix -τός, indicating possibility or capacity. Thus, 'that which can be seen' or 'visible.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ὁρατός is used of objects, persons, or phenomena that are perceptible by sight, as opposed to invisible (ἀόρατος). In philosophical contexts, especially Platonic and later Hellenistic, it may be contrasted with νοητός ('intelligible') as 'that which belongs to the world of sense perception' versus 'that which belongs to the world of the intellect.' In the New Testament (e.g., Romans 1:20), ὁρατός refers to what can be seen by the natural eye, often to emphasize the contrast with invisible realities (like God's attributes), supporting the distinction between seen and unseen, temporal and eternal. English translations usually render the term as 'visible' or 'seen,' which generally captures the core meaning, though philosophical nuances may be lost in translation. The term is rare but significant in theological and philosophical discourse as it marks the boundary between the perceptible world and the spiritual or transcendent.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὁράω; gazed at, i.e. (by implication) capable of being seen:--visible.
Root Family
ὁρατός (horatos) — visible, capable of being seen, perceptible to sight, manifest
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3707-01 |
ὁρατὰ | orata | ADJ.S NOM N PL |
visible | the visible things | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3707-01 |
Colossians 1:16 | ὁρατὰ | orata | ADJ.S NOM N PL |
visible | the visible things |