ὄμμα
ómma
G3659 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
ὄμμα primarily denotes the eye, understood as the physical organ of sight in both humans and animals. It extends semantically to mean sight or vision, in both a literal and sometimes metaphorical sense (i.e., the capacity or act of seeing; discernment through sight). In extended usage, it can refer to the appearance or gaze ('the look' of something), and in poetic or elevated prose, may stand for one's perception or viewpoint.
Semantic Range
eye (the physical organ), sight, vision, look/gaze, the act of seeing/perception
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root ὀπ- (relating to seeing/vision), specifically from the verb ὀπτάνομαι ('to be seen, to appear'). Cognate with the earlier form ὄψ (eye, face) and linked to the Indo-European root *okw- (to see).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ὄμμα was used for 'eye' alongside ὀφθαλμός, though ὀφθαλμός became the more standard term in prose and technical language, while ὄμμα persisted in poetry, high style, and certain dialects. ὄμμα appears rarely in the New Testament (Luke 11:34-36, Matt 20:33, etc.), often with poetic or emphatic overtones. In the Septuagint, ὄμμα regularly translates the Hebrew עַיִן when the context emphasizes the act of seeing, personal gaze, or the eye as a locus of intention, whereas ὀφθαλμός is more common for the anatomical term. Standard English translations render both ὄμμα and ὀφθαλμός as 'eye', potentially overlooking the nuanced stylistic or contextual differences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὀπτάνομαι; a sight, i.e. (by implication) the eye:--eye.
Root Family
ὄμμα (omma) — eye, sight, vision, gaze, perception
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3659-01 |
ὄμματα | ommata | N ACC N PL |
eyes | eyes | eyes | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3659-01 |
Mark 8:23 | ὄμματα | ommata | N ACC N PL |
eyes | eyes | eyes |