Original Word: ὀπώρα
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: opóra
Pronunciation: o-PO-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (op-o'-rah)
KJV: fruit
NASB: fruit
Word Origin: [apparently from the base of G3796 (ὀψέ - evening) and G5610 (ὥρα - hour)]

1. (properly) even-tide of the (summer) season (dog-days)
2. (by implication) ripe fruit

fruit.

Apparently from the base of opse and hora; properly, even-tide of the (summer) season (dog-days), i.e. (by implication) ripe fruit -- fruit.

see GREEK opse

see GREEK hora

Word Origin
perhaps from the same as opisthen and hóra
Definition
late summer, ripe fruits
NASB Translation
fruit (1).

STRONGS NT 3703: ὀπώρα

ὀπώρα, ὀπωρας, ἡ (derived by some from ὄπις (cf. ὀπίσω), έ῾τομαι, and ὥρα; hence, the time that follows the ὥρα (Curtius, § 522); by others from ὀπός (cf. our sap) juice, and ὥρα, i. e. the time of juicy fruits, the time when fruits become ripe), from Homer down;

1. "the season which succeeds θέρος, from the rising of Sirius to that of Arcturus," i. e. late summer, early autumn, our dog-days (the year being divided into seven seasons as follows: ἔαρ, θέρος, ὀπώρα, φθινόπωρον, σπορητός, χειμών, φυταλία).

2. ripe fruits (of trees): σου τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς for ὧν ἡ ψυχή σου ἐπιθυμεῖ, Revelation 18:14. (Jeremiah 47:10 (), and often in Greek writings.)

Concept of Summer Fruit in Scripture

“Summer fruit” marks the climax of the growing season, when the land offers its sweetest and most perishable produce. In the biblical world it included figs, grapes, dates, and other delicacies gathered quickly before fermentation or decay set in. Scripture regularly employs the image both for abundant blessing (Numbers 13:20; Jeremiah 40:10) and for a fleeting moment soon to pass (Micah 7:1).

Occurrence in Revelation 18:14

Ὀπώρα appears only once in the Greek New Testament:
• Revelation 18:14 – “The fruit you longed for has left you, and all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.”

Here the “fruit” coveted by Babylon represents every refined pleasure and indulgence promised by the world system that stands in defiance of God. Its sudden disappearance dramatizes the swiftness and totality of divine judgment.

Prophetic Symbolism

1. Ephemeral Wealth. Ὀπώρα, like ripe figs that spoil in a day’s heat, pictures worldly opulence at its peak yet on the brink of ruin. Revelation sets it beside gold, fine linen, and spices to underscore that even life’s choicest enjoyments are temporary without Christ.
2. Harvest of Judgment. The fall of Babylon corresponds to harvest imagery elsewhere (Joel 3:13; Revelation 14:15-20). When evil reaches full ripeness, God reaps in righteousness.
3. Longing Unfulfilled. “The fruit you longed for” conveys the soul’s insatiable craving apart from God (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Babylon’s merchants mourn not sin but the loss of sensual reward.

Historical and Cultural Background

In the first-century Mediterranean, summer fruit was a luxury tied to commerce. Urban elites imported figs and dates packed in jars of honey or wine. John’s audience would recognize such goods moving through Rome’s ports. Revelation 18:11-13 lists a merchant manifest typical of imperial trade. The inclusion of ὀπώρα situates the prophecy firmly in that economic setting while pointing to its collapse.

Theological Themes

• The Transience of Earthly Splendor – Psalm 73:18-19 reminds believers that those secure in riches are “suddenly destroyed.” Ὀπώρα crystallizes that truth.
• The Sufficiency of Christ – By contrast, those who “eat the good fruit of Zion” (Isaiah 65:21-22) know a harvest that endures.
• Divine Retribution – Babylon’s loss fulfills the principle stated in Proverbs 11:28: “He who trusts in his riches will fall.”

Related Biblical Imagery

• Fig Basket Vision (Amos 8:1-2) – Ripe figs portend imminent judgment on Israel; so too ripe luxuries foretell Babylon’s doom.
• Vineyard Parables (Matthew 21:33-41; John 15:1-8) – God expects lasting fruit, not fleeting show.
• Firstfruits Offering (Leviticus 23:10) – Believers dedicate their earliest and best produce to the Lord, in contrast to Babylon’s self-indulgence.

Wider Canon Connections

Septuagint uses of ὀπώρα (Jeremiah 40:10; Song of Songs 2:11-13; Micah 7:1) illuminate the New Testament passage. In each case summer fruit embodies either joyful abundance under God’s favor or scarcity resulting from sin. Revelation gathers these threads, portraying the climax of human rebellion and its ultimate emptiness.

Ministry Applications

1. Warning Against Materialism – Preach Revelation 18:14 to expose the insecurity of treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19-21).
2. Call to Holiness – As Babylon’s delicacies perish, believers must “bear fruit that endures” (John 15:16).
3. Comfort for the Persecuted – The saints suffering under oppressive systems gain assurance that the Lord will overturn every unjust power and satisfy their longing with Himself (Revelation 18:20).

Summary

Strong’s Greek 3703 (ὀπώρα) captures the apex of worldly delight and its swift demise under God’s hand. From Old Testament harvests to Revelation’s final oracle, Scripture urges the faithful to seek an imperishable inheritance rather than the summer fruit that passes away.

οπωρα οπώρα ὀπώρα οπώραν οπωροφυλάκιον opora opōra opṓraInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts