The meaning of “ὄφις”
Understanding óphis reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
probably from ὀπτάνομαι (through the idea of sharpness of vision) serpent. - a snake, figuratively, (as a type of sly cu...
ὄφις
probably from ὀπτάνομαι (through the idea of sharpness of vision) serpent. - a snake, figuratively, (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 10:16 | “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Word: ὄφις (óphis) | |
| Mark 16:18 | “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Word: ὄφις (óphis) | |
| Luke 11:11 | “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?” Word: ὄφις (óphis) | |
| John 3:14 | “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:” Word: ὄφις (óphis) | |
| 1 Corinthians 10:9 | “Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.” Word: ὄφις (óphis) |