ὡραῖος
hōraîos
G5611 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Pertaining to the right or proper time; timely, seasonable. By extension: full-grown, mature, at its prime, flourishing; beautiful or attractive—especially as a result of being at the appropriate stage or age. Used of persons, things, or qualities perceived as 'in season' or possessing a fitting or appealing condition.
Semantic Range
timely, seasonable, in (one's) prime, full-grown, ripe, mature, flourishing, beautiful, attractive (because at one's prime)
Root / Etymology
From ὥρα (hōra, 'season, time, hour'), with the adjectival suffix -ῖος, indicating belonging or pertaining to. Thus, 'pertaining to the right hour or season.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὡραῖος in classical Greek primarily connotes something suitable to its time or season—'ripe,' 'mature,' or 'in its prime.' Only secondarily does it take on the aesthetic sense 'beautiful,' which arises from the association of beauty with things or persons that are at their prime or in proper condition. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, it could describe physical attractiveness (especially youth and the stage of full development), as well as things (like fruit, flowers, or opportunities) ready to be used or enjoyed. In the Septuagint and New Testament, ὡραῖος is rare; when used, it most often describes someone or something attractive or 'pleasing' in the sense of being in the ideal state or right time. English translations often jump straight to 'beautiful' or 'fair,' but the underlying Greek nuance centers on timeliness and maturity rather than just visual appeal. This word also forms the basis for the New Testament phrase 'Beautiful Gate' (Acts 3:2, 10) and sometimes for describing the desirable physical prime of young people (such as Jesus' clothing at the transfiguration in some MSS; cf. Mark 9:3 Tr.), but it does not refer to beauty as an absolute or abstract concept, nor exclusively to external attractiveness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὥρα; belonging to the right hour or season (timely), i.e. (by implication) flourishing (beauteous (figuratively)):--beautiful.
Root Family
ὡραῖος (hōraios) — timely, seasonable, mature, flourishing, in one’s prime
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5611-03 |
ὡραῖοι | oraioi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
beautiful | in their prime | beautiful | 2 |
G5611-01 |
Ὡραίᾳ | oraia | ADJ.A DAT F SG |
Beautiful | to the season-ripe | Beautiful | 1 |
G5611-02 |
Ὡραίαν | oraian | ADJ.P ACC F SG |
Beautiful | seasonable | Beautiful | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5611-03 |
Matthew 23:27 | ὡραῖοι | oraioi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
beautiful | in their prime | beautiful |
G5611-02 |
Acts 3:2 | Ὡραίαν | oraian | ADJ.P ACC F SG |
Beautiful | seasonable | Beautiful |
G5611-01 |
Acts 3:10 | Ὡραίᾳ | oraia | ADJ.A DAT F SG |
Beautiful | to the season-ripe | Beautiful |
G5611-03 |
Romans 10:15 | ὡραῖοι | oraioi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
beautiful | in their prime | in their prime |