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μέτωπον

métōpon

G3359 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Forehead—the upper part of the face above the eyes, especially the area between the eyebrows and the hairline; in some contexts, the front or surface of the head, frequently used to designate the site for visible marks, inscriptions, or symbols.

Semantic Range

forehead (anatomical), brow, part of the face above the eyes, site for visible marks or inscriptions, symbolic place of identity or allegiance

Root / Etymology

From Greek μετά (after, with) and ὤψ (face, eye), forming μέτωπον, denoting the front part of the face or the brow. The root μετ- indicates 'between' or 'after,' and ὤψ relates to 'sight' or 'face.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term μέτωπον is found in both classical and Koine Greek, designating the anatomical forehead. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, especially Revelation, the word can also refer to the forehead as a location for inscribed names, marks, or symbolic identification (e.g., Revelation 7:3; 13:16). This draws on ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman practices of marking or distinguishing individuals or groups via symbols or writing placed on the brow. Unlike English use, 'forehead' in Greek often connoted public visibility or identity markers. Standard translations as 'forehead' are accurate for the anatomical sense, but may understate the symbolic or ritual uses in some biblical contexts.

Translation Consistency

primary "forehead" 8 occurrences

Matches the common and natural English rendering for μέτωπον across contexts (anatomical forehead, brow, or symbolic site for marks). It is the simplest, most frequent and natural base form to use consistently for all occurrences.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μετά and ops (the face); the forehead (as opposite the countenance):--forehead.

Root Family

μετ-ὠπ (métōpon) — forehead, brow, front of the face

Root μετ-ὠπ forehead, brow, front of the face

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3359-01 μετώπων metopon N GEN N PL foreheads of foreheads of foreheads 7
G3359-02 μετώπου metopou N GEN N SG forehead of the forehead forehead 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3359-01 Revelation 7:3 μετώπων metopon N GEN N PL foreheads of foreheads of foreheads
G3359-01 Revelation 9:4 μετώπων metopon N GEN N PL foreheads of foreheads of foreheads
G3359-01 Revelation 13:16 μέτωπον metopon N ACC N SG forehead of foreheads forehead
G3359-01 Revelation 14:1 μετώπων metopon N GEN N PL foreheads of foreheads of foreheads
G3359-02 Revelation 14:9 μετώπου metopou N GEN N SG forehead of the forehead forehead
G3359-01 Revelation 17:5 μέτωπον metopon N ACC N SG forehead of foreheads forehead
G3359-01 Revelation 20:4 μέτωπον metopon N ACC N SG foreheads of foreheads of foreheads
G3359-01 Revelation 22:4 μετώπων metopon N GEN N PL foreheads of foreheads of foreheads
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