ὄφελον
óphelon
G3785 particle
SILEX Entry
Definition
An expression of a strong wish or desire, often introducing a clause expressing what the speaker would prefer or desire to be the case; used as an optative particle meaning 'would that,' 'if only,' or 'I wish that.' The term conveys regret, longing, or yearning for something unrealized or contrary to current reality. In some cases, it can function as a somewhat formal exclamation or interjection, typically introducing a clause in the optative or indicative mood and expressing unattainable or improbable wishes.
Semantic Range
would that, if only, I wish that, oh that, expressing a strong desire for something contrary to reality, optative of unattainable wishes
Root / Etymology
From the obsolete first person singular imperfect optative of ὀφείλω ('to owe, be obligated,' itself derived from PIE *gʰebh- 'to give, to receive'). In Koine Greek, ὄφελον became dissociated from the idea of 'owing' or 'obligation' and was fossilized as a modal particle.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Classically, ὄφελον functioned as a verb ('I would owe/was obliged'), but by the Hellenistic and Koine periods—especially in the Septuagint and New Testament—it became a fixed particle for unreal wishes, often used independently of tense or person. It does not function as an ordinary verb in these later texts but as a marker of unattainable or hypothetical desires. English translations that render it as 'would that,' 'I wish,' 'if only,' or (archaically) 'would to God' generally capture this sense but sometimes obscure its origin and grammatical function. Its use signals an emotional longing for a different (often better) circumstance, particularly for situations contrary to fact.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
first person singular of a past tense of ὀφείλω; I ought (wish), i.e. (interjection) oh that!:--would (to God).
Root Family
ὄφελον (ophelon) — to owe, to be obligated; would that; if only; strong wish
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3785-01 |
ὄφελόν | ophelon | T |
I wish | If only | If only | 4 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3785-01 |
1 Corinthians 4:8 | ὄφελόν | ophelon | T |
I would that | If only | I would that |
G3785-01 |
2 Corinthians 11:1 | ὄφελον | ophelon | T |
I wish | If only | If only |
G3785-01 |
Galatians 5:12 | ὄφελον | ophelon | T |
I wish | If only | I wish that |
G3785-01 |
Revelation 3:15 | ὄφελον | ophelon | T |
I wish | If only | If only |