Berean Strong's Lexicon optanomai: to appear, to be seen, to be visible Original Word: ὀπτάνομαι Word Origin: Middle voice of a (presumed) derivative of ὀπτάνω (optanō), which means "to gaze" or "to appear." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often used in similar contexts is רָאָה (ra'ah - Strong's H7200), which means "to see" or "to appear." Usage: The verb "optanomai" primarily means "to appear" or "to be seen." It is often used in the New Testament to describe the act of being visibly present or manifesting oneself to others. This term is frequently associated with divine or supernatural appearances, such as the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ to His disciples. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of divine appearances or epiphanies was not uncommon. Gods and supernatural beings were often believed to manifest themselves to humans in visible forms. In the Jewish context, theophanies (appearances of God) were significant events, as seen in the Old Testament. The New Testament usage of "optanomai" reflects this cultural understanding, emphasizing the reality and significance of Jesus' appearances after His resurrection, affirming His divine nature and the truth of His resurrection. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3700 optánomai (or optomai/optanō, likely a later cognate of 3708 /horáō) – become seen (appear). See 3708 (horaō). [Some forms of Strong's numbering systems designate optomai as 3708.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a prim. root op- (cf. horaó) Definition to appear NASB Translation appearing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3700: ὀπτάνωὀπτάνω (ὈΠΤΩ): to look at, behold; middle present participle ὀπτανόμενος; to allow oneself to be seen, to appear: τίνι, Acts 1:3. (1 Kings 8:8; Tobit 12:19; (Graecus Venetus, Exodus 34:24).) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance appear, look, seeA (middle voice) prolonged form of the primary (middle voice) optomai (op'-tom-ahee); which is used for it in certain tenses; and both as alternate of horao; to gaze (i.e. With wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from blepo, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from eido, which expresses merely mechanical, passive or casual vision; while theaomai, and still more emphatically its intensive theoreo, signifies an earnest but more continued inspection; and skopeo a watching from a distance) -- appear, look, see, shew self. see GREEK horao see GREEK blepo see GREEK eido see GREEK theaomai see GREEK theoreo see GREEK skopeo Forms and Transliterations οπτανομενος οπτανόμενος ὀπτανόμενος ωπτάνοντο optanomenos optanómenosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |