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ὄψιμος

ópsimos

G3797 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Pertaining to being late or coming later in time, especially of seasonal phenomena. Primarily used to describe the 'late' or 'latter' rain that falls in the spring, significant for agriculture in the Eastern Mediterranean context, as opposed to the early rain (πρόϊμος). Also carries the sense of being tardy or coming after an expected time in more general contexts.

Semantic Range

late (in time or sequence), coming later, applied metaphorically to seasons or rains (spring/latter rain), tardy, delayed

Root / Etymology

From the adverb ὀψέ (late, at a late hour), with the adjectival suffix -ιμος; thus, 'that which is late' or 'pertaining to lateness.' Not related to Latin 'ops' or any Semitic root; strictly Greek in formation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Koine Greek, particularly as used in the Septuagint and the New Testament (e.g., James 5:7), ὄψιμος refers to the spring rains crucial for ripening grain before harvest—contrasted with πρόσϕιμος or πρόϊμος ('early' or autumn rain). This agricultural reference reflects the climate and farming cycle of ancient Israel and the broader Eastern Mediterranean. The term is absent from classical Greek in this sense, indicating a semantic development influenced by Semitic/Israelite agricultural terms and practices (cf. Hebrew מַלְקוֹשׁ [malkosh]). English translations often render ὄψιμος as 'latter' or 'spring' rain, but this can obscure the agrarian specificity and importance of the term in its historical context. Elsewhere in Koine or later Greek, ὄψιμος can generically describe anything arriving or occurring late, but its biblical usage is primarily agricultural.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὀψέ; later, i.e. vernal (showering):--latter.

Root Family

ὀψ- (opsárion) — to roast, to prepare cooked food, to serve as relish or side dish

Root ὀψ- to be late, to come later
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G3795 ὀψάριον small prepared fish
G3798 ὄψιος evening

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3797-01 ὄψιμον opsimon ADJ.S ACC M SG latter the late one latter rain 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3797-01 James 5:7 ὄψιμον opsimon ADJ.S ACC M SG latter the late one latter rain
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