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ὄφις

óphis

G3789 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ὀπ- to see, to behold, to appear

Definition

A snake; primarily refers to a serpent, the general term for a snake or serpent. In figurative or metaphorical contexts, can denote a person exhibiting qualities associated with snakes, such as deceit, guile, or malicious cunning; also used as a symbolic designation for adversarial or dangerous figures (e.g., satanic or hostile agents in particular texts).

Semantic Range

snake, serpent, metaphor for cunning or malicious person, symbol of adversarial or supernatural evil

Root / Etymology

From the root ὀπ- (to see), possibly related to ὄψις (“sight, appearance”) or ὀπτάνομαι (“to appear, to be seen”); the semantic connection may reference the glistening or visual prominence of snakes. Etymology not fully certain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὄφις is a general word for a snake or serpent, used both literally (to denote any snake, with no particular species in view) and metaphorically (for persons considered treacherous or dangerous). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint, ὄφις often appears in narratives (e.g., Genesis 3) and retains its sense as 'serpent.' In the New Testament, ὄφις is likewise both literal and figurative: e.g., John the Baptist and Jesus refer to certain opponents as a 'brood of vipers' (γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν) using ὄφις for imagery of danger and deception; in Revelation, ὄφις ὁ μέγας ('the great serpent') alludes symbolically to satanic or primordial evil. Standard English translations as 'serpent' or sometimes 'snake' reflect the literal sense, but the term's rich metaphorical and symbolic usages—particularly as a symbol for guile, evil, or supernatural hostility—can be missed or harmonized to later theological concepts. The word ὄφις is generally not restricted to a particular kind of snake, but can take on local mythic or symbolic associations (e.g., connections to wisdom, cunning, or healing as in the Asclepius tradition) depending on context. Distinct from δράκων, which often denotes a more fearsome, monstrous serpent or dragon in Greek myth.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from ὀπτάνομαι (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake, figuratively, (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan:--serpent.

Root Family

ὄφις (ophis) — snake, serpent, cunning adversary

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G3789-05 ὄφιν ophin N ACC M SG serpent a serpent 4
G3789-01 ὄφεις opheis N NOM M PL serpents serpents 3
G3789-06 ὄφις ophis N NOM M SG serpent 3
G3789-02 ὄφεων opheon N GEN M PL serpents of serpents 2
G3789-03 ὄφεως opheos N GEN M SG of a serpent 1
G3789-04 ὄφεσιν ophesin N DAT M PL to serpents 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G3789-05 Matthew 7:10 ὄφιν ophin N ACC M SG a serpent
G3789-01 Matthew 10:16 ὄφεις opheis N NOM M PL serpents
G3789-01 Matthew 23:33 ὄφεις opheis N VOC M PL serpents
G3789-01 Mark 16:18 ὄφεις opheis N ACC M PL serpents serpents
G3789-02 Luke 10:19 ὄφεων opheon N GEN M PL serpents of serpents
G3789-05 Luke 11:11 ὄφιν ophin N ACC M SG a serpent a serpent
G3789-05 John 3:14 ὄφιν ophin N ACC M SG serpent a serpent
G3789-02 1 Corinthians 10:9 ὄφεων opheon N GEN M PL serpents of serpents
G3789-06 2 Corinthians 11:3 ὄφις ophis N NOM M SG serpent
G3789-04 Revelation 9:19 ὄφεσιν ophesin N DAT M PL to serpents
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