ὀψέ
opsé
G3796 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
An adverb meaning 'late' or 'late in the day,' with its primary use referencing the late hours, particularly in the evening or toward nightfall. It can also denote 'after,' in the sense of a subsequent time, often as a prepositional phrase meaning 'after (an event)' when followed by a noun in the accusative. In some contexts, it specifies 'after sunset' or 'at evening time,' highlighting the period just before or after the end of daylight.
Semantic Range
late, at evening, late in the day, after, afterwards, after sunset, following (an event in time)
Root / Etymology
Formed from the same root as ὀπίσω ('behind,' 'after'), related to ὀπ- (root referring to 'back,' 'after,' or perceptual 'seeing,' possibly from the same Indo-European root as Latin 'opus' or 'post'). The word functions as a temporal adverb, using derived forms to specify lateness or sequence in time. Etymology traces to basic Greek element for 'after' or 'late,' but ultimate origin beyond early Greek is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, ὀψέ most often means 'late' or 'at a late hour,' generally referring to actions taking place in the latter part of the day or night. In the Koine period, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, it took on a more specialized sense, often denoting the time after sunset, thus closely associated with the Jewish reckoning of days beginning at sundown. In the New Testament, ὀψέ can function as both an adverb alone ('late,' 'at evening') and in prepositional phrases (ὀψὲ σαββάτων, 'after the Sabbath'). English translation traditionally renders it as 'at even,' 'late,' or 'after,' but these may not always capture the culturally specific temporal boundaries implied in Jewish and Hellenistic contexts. The word is distinct from ἑσπέρα ('evening'), which simply marks the earlier part of evening, whereas ὀψέ emphasizes lateness or a point after the day has ended. The term does not occur frequently in non-biblical sources but retains its temporal nuance where attested.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as ὀπίσω (through the idea of backwardness); (adverbially) late in the day; by extension, after the close of the day:--(at) even, in the end.
Root Family
ὀψέ (opsé) — late, behind, after
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3796-01 |
ὀψὲ | opse | PREP GEN |
evening | late in the day | after | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3796-01 |
Matthew 28:1 | ὀψὲ | opse | PREP GEN |
late | late in the day | after |
G3796-01 |
Mark 11:19 | ὀψὲ | opse | ADV |
evening | late in the day | late in the day |
G3796-01 |
Mark 13:35 | ὀψὲ | opse | ADV |
in the evening | late in the day | in the evening |