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ὠτίον

ōtíon

G5621 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Small ear, specifically the external ear or ear lobe. In most contexts, refers to an individual ear, often in the diminutive sense (i.e., 'little ear' or 'earlet'). Depending on the context, may denote the physical organ (either for a person or animal), the ear lobe (the lower fleshy part of the ear), or, metaphorically, attentive listening (rare).

Semantic Range

ear, ear lobe, external ear, small or child’s ear, animal’s ear, part of ear (lobe), (rarely) attentive listening

Root / Etymology

Diminutive of οὖς (ous, 'ear'), formed with the diminutive suffix -ιον (-ion) to mean 'little ear' or 'earlet.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ὠτίον is used infrequently compared to the standard οὖς, carrying a diminutive nuance but typically referring to a normal ear (as of a child, animal, or in affectionate speech). At times specified the lobe of the ear, particularly in medical or anatomical contexts, or the external ear as distinct from the whole hearing apparatus. The term appears in LXX and later medical writers with these nuances. In Septuagint Greek, especially in Exodus 21:6, it denotes the ear lobe—the physical part pierced in the rite of slave dedication. In the New Testament (e.g., John 18:10,26), it refers to the (external) ear, with the diminutive expressing precision or emphasis on the physical organ rather than implying literal smallness. Standard English translations render with 'ear' and do not capture the diminutive or possible reference to the ear lobe. Usage does not imply any particular symbolic or metaphorical meaning in biblical contexts, but can be distinguished from the more general οὖς by its precision or affectionate diminutive force.

Translation Consistency

primary "ear" 5 occurrences

“Ear” is the natural, common English noun covering the external ear, ear lobe, and small/diminutive ears in both humans and animals. It matches the majority usage and is more general and idiomatic than the more specific “earlobe.” The rare figurative sense (attentive listening) can be handled by context without changing the base word.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

diminutive of οὖς; an earlet, i.e. one of the ears, or perhaps the lobe of the ear:--ear.

Root Family

ὠτίον (ōtion) — small ear, ear, ear lobe, external ear

Root ὠτ- ear, small ear, ear lobe

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5621-02 ὠτίον otion N ACC N SG ear small ear ear 2
G5621-01 ὠτάριον otarion N ACC N SG ear little ear ear 2
G5621-03 ὠτίου otiou N GEN N SG ear of the little ear ear 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5621-02 Matthew 26:51 ὠτίον otion N ACC N SG ear small ear ear
G5621-01 Mark 14:47 ὠτάριον otarion N ACC N SG ear little ear ear
G5621-03 Luke 22:51 ὠτίου otiou N GEN N SG ear of the little ear ear
G5621-01 John 18:10 ὠτάριον otarion N ACC N SG ear little ear ear
G5621-02 John 18:26 ὠτίον otion N ACC N SG ear small ear ear
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