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ὀφθαλμός

ophthalmós

G3788 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ὀπτ- to see, to appear

Definition

The organ of sight, the eye; by extension, refers to sight, vision, or the act of seeing. In figurative contexts, can denote insight, perception, spiritual understanding, or evaluation. Also used metaphorically to describe states such as envy or desire, especially in phrases like 'evil eye.'

Semantic Range

eye (the physical organ), sight, vision, perception, insight, appearance, look, glance, envy, desire, moral or spiritual evaluation (fig.), object of attention

Root / Etymology

From the root ὀπτ- (related to 'seeing, appearing'), likely derived from the verb ὀπτάνομαι ('to appear, be seen'). Cognate with related Indo-European roots for 'eye' and 'to see.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ὀφθαλμός principally denotes the physical eye, but also extends abstractly to the concept of seeing or vision. The term was routinely used in secular Greek literature, the Septuagint, and the New Testament. In Hellenistic Greek, it often appears in idiomatic expressions such as 'evil eye' (ὀφθαλμὸς πονηρός) to connote jealousy, greed, or malice, reflecting a broader ancient Near Eastern motif. The Septuagint employs ὀφθαλμός as the standard translation for Hebrew עַיִן (ʿayin). In New Testament context, ὀφθαλμός has both a literal sense (bodily eye, sensory organ) and a figurative sense (inner perception or discernment, e.g., Matthew 6:22–23). English 'eye' is an adequate translation for the core literal meaning, but does not always convey nuanced idiomatic or figurative senses, such as the idea of malicious intent or spiritual insight. No standard English translation fully captures the range of figurative meanings, especially in reference to envy or moral evaluation in idiomatic phrases.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὀπτάνομαι; the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance):--eye, sight.

Root Family

ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos) — eye, sight, vision, perception, appearance

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G3788-07 ὀφθαλμοὺς ophthalmous N ACC M PL eyes eyes 37
G3788-05 ὀφθαλμός ophthalmos N NOM M SG eye the eye 15
G3788-02 ὀφθαλμοί ophthalmoi N NOM M PL eyes eyes 15
G3788-04 ὀφθαλμὸν ophthalmon N ACC M SG eyes eye (accusative singular) 13
G3788-01 ὀφθαλμῷ ophthalmo N DAT M SG eye to the eye 8
G3788-03 ὀφθαλμοῖς ophthalmois N DAT M PL eyes to the eyes 7
G3788-06 ὀφθαλμοῦ ophthalmou N GEN M SG eye of the eye 6

Occurrences in Scripture

101 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G3788-05 Matthew 5:29 ὀφθαλμός ophthalmos N NOM M SG the eye
G3788-04 Matthew 5:38 ὀφθαλμὸν ophthalmon N ACC M SG eye (accusative singular)
G3788-06 Matthew 5:38 ὀφθαλμοῦ ophthalmou N GEN M SG of the eye
G3788-05 Matthew 6:22 ὀφθαλμός ophthalmos N NOM M SG the eye
G3788-05 Matthew 6:22 ὀφθαλμός ophthalmos-2 N NOM M SG the eye
G3788-05 Matthew 6:23 ὀφθαλμός ophthalmos N NOM M SG the eye
G3788-01 Matthew 7:3 ὀφθαλμῷ ophthalmo N DAT M SG to the eye
G3788-01 Matthew 7:3 ὀφθαλμῷ ophthalmo-2 N DAT M SG to the eye
G3788-06 Matthew 7:4 ὀφθαλμοῦ ophthalmou N GEN M SG of the eye
G3788-01 Matthew 7:4 ὀφθαλμῷ ophthalmo N DAT M SG to the eye
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