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ὄπισθεν

ópisthen

G3693 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

At or to the back, behind; pertaining to a position to the rear of a reference point or later in time or order. As an adverb, frequently indicates spatial location (behind, at the back) or temporal sequence (after, later). As a preposition (typically with a genitive), it indicates movement to or location at the rear of someone or something, or occurrence later in sequence.

Semantic Range

behind (spatially), at the back, from the rear, after (in time or order), following, at a later point, in the background

Root / Etymology

Derived from the adverbial use of the prepositional phrase ὀπί or ὄπις (back, rear), ultimately connected to the verb ὀπτάνομαι ('to appear; to be seen'), with the addition of -θεν, an adverbial suffix denoting 'from [the place of].' Thus, ὄπισθεν originally denotes 'from behind' or 'from the rear.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὄπισθεν most commonly denotes a position behind or to the rear of a person or object, and this spatial sense persists in Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament. It can function both adverbially ('behind, at the back, in the rear') and as a preposition ('behind [someone/something]', usually with genitive). The temporal sense ('after, following in time or order') emerges by extension and is sometimes found in Hellenistic and New Testament texts. English translations often render the word as 'behind,' 'after,' or 'back,' but these do not always capture the precise nuance, especially where both spatial and temporal senses may be present. The word is distinct from ὀπίσω, which can also mean 'behind' but is frequently used for following after or discipleship contexts in the New Testament. ὄπισθεν's usage is generally more strictly spatial, though context can admit temporal readings. Not commonly employed for abstract or figurative extension in Koine texts. The attested use includes reference to physical positioning (e.g., someone standing behind another, something located at the rear) and narrative sequence (events occurring afterward).

Translation Consistency

primary "behind" 7 occurrences

ὄπισθεν most often marks position to the rear or something following in order; the natural, commonly used English adverb that covers both spatial (at the back) and temporal/sequence senses is “behind.” It matches the SILEX range and the existing P2 renderings.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (regard; from ὀπτάνομαι) with enclitic of source; from the rear (as a secure aspect), i.e. at the back (adverb and preposition of place or time):--after, backside, behind.

Root Family

ὀπ- (epóptēs) — to see, to observe, to appear

Root ὀπ- behind, at the back, after (in sequence)
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2030 ἐπόπτης direct eyewitnesses
G2714 κατενώπιον in the immediate presence of
G3659 ὄμμα eyes
G3692 ὀπή to openings
G3700 ὀπτάνομαι appearing

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3693-01 ὄπισθεν opisthen ADV behind behind behind (or from behind when indicating motion/origin) 7

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3693-01 Matthew 9:20 ὄπισθεν opisthen ADV behind behind behind (or from behind when indicating motion/origin)
G3693-01 Matthew 15:23 ὄπισθεν opisthen PREP GEN after behind behind (or from behind when indicating motion/origin)
G3693-01 Mark 5:27 ὄπισθεν opisthen ADV behind behind behind (or from behind when indicating motion/origin)
G3693-01 Luke 8:44 ὄπισθεν opisthen ADV behind behind behind (or from behind when indicating motion/origin)
G3693-01 Luke 23:26 ὄπισθεν opisthen PREP GEN behind behind behind (or from behind when indicating motion/origin)
G3693-01 Revelation 4:6 ὄπισθεν opisthen ADV behind behind behind (or from behind when indicating motion/origin)
G3693-01 Revelation 5:1 ὄπισθεν opisthen ADV on the back behind behind (or from behind when indicating motion/origin)
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