Original Word: ὄψις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: opsis
Pronunciation: OP-sis
Phonetic Spelling: (op'-sis)
Definition: Appearance, sight, face, countenance
Meaning: (a) the face, countenance, (b) the features, outward appearance.

appearance, countenance, face.

From optanomai; properly, sight (the act), i.e. (by implication) the visage, an external show -- appearance, countenance, face.

see GREEK optanomai

Word Origin
from opópa (perf. of horaó)
Definition
the act of seeing, the sense of sight
NASB Translation
appearance (1), face (2).

STRONGS NT 3799: ὄψις

ὄψις, ὄψεως, ἡ (ὈΠΤΩ, ὄψομαι (cf. ὀφθαλμός)), from Homer down; the Sept. chiefly for מַרְאֶה;

1. seeing, sight.

2. face, countenance: John 11:44; Revelation 1:16.

3. the outward appearance, look (many lexicographers give this neuter and objective sense precedence): κρίνειν κατ' ὄψιν, John 7:24.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ὁράω (horao), meaning "to see" or "to look."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of appearance or sight in the Hebrew Bible is often conveyed by words such as מַרְאֶה (mar'eh, Strong's Hebrew 4758), which means "appearance" or "vision," and עַיִן (ayin, Strong's Hebrew 5869), meaning "eye" or "sight." These terms similarly emphasize the importance of both physical appearance and spiritual insight in the biblical text.

Usage: In the New Testament, ὄψις is used to describe the physical appearance or countenance of individuals, as well as the act of seeing. It appears in contexts where the visual aspect or perception is emphasized.

Context: The Greek word ὄψις is used in the New Testament to convey the concept of appearance or sight. It is found in passages where the physical appearance of a person or object is of significance. For example, in John 7:24, Jesus instructs, "Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly." Here, ὄψις is used to contrast superficial judgment based on external looks with righteous judgment that considers deeper truths.

The term also appears in Revelation 1:16, where the Apostle John describes the glorified Christ: "In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest." In this context, ὄψις is used to describe the radiant and awe-inspiring appearance of Christ's face, emphasizing His divine majesty and glory.

The use of ὄψις in the New Testament often serves to highlight the contrast between human perception and divine reality. While humans may focus on external appearances, the biblical narrative encourages looking beyond the surface to discern true spiritual significance.

όψει όψεις οψιν όψιν ὄψιν οψις όψις ὄψις όψον opsin ópsin opsis ópsisInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts