ὄμβρος (ombros)
ombros
rainstorm
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun ombros refers to a sudden, violent rainstorm or heavy shower, distinct from gentle precipitation. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Luke 12:54, where Jesus uses it to illustrate how people easily read the sky for weather signs yet fail to perceive the spiritual significance of their current times.
This word conveys intensity and immediacy, often associated with high winds or thunder. Its rarity in Scripture highlights the specific force of the metaphor: just as a storm is unmistakable and demands attention, so too should the signs of the times be clear to those who are watching. The term emphasizes an overwhelming natural event rather than a gradual change.
While its exact etymology remains uncertain, the word consistently denotes a powerful downpour in both classical and biblical usage. By choosing this specific term, the text underscores the urgency of spiritual discernment, contrasting human ability to predict physical weather with a lack of insight into divine action.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ombros describes a sudden, heavy rainstorm rather than a gentle drizzle. In Luke 12:54, Jesus uses this image to show how easily people can read the sky for weather signs yet miss the spiritual reality right in front of them. It is a call to pay attention to what God is doing now, not just what we expect later.
This storm imagery reminds us that divine action often arrives with urgency and clarity. We are invited to develop a sharper eye for the signs of our times, trusting that God’s movements are as real and impactful as a summer thunderstorm. Let this awareness deepen your hope and steady your heart in daily life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- A shower1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὄμβρος1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 12:54
He said to the multitudes also, “When you see a cloud rising from the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it happens.
Jesus uses the term to contrast accurate weather prediction with a failure to recognize spiritual significance.