ὀπή (opē)
opē
hole
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun opē refers to a physical opening or hole, often describing a fissure in rock or an aperture that allows passage. In Scripture, it appears in only two verses, yet each instance uses the word to highlight vulnerability and divine protection. James 3:11 asks how a spring can produce both fresh and salt water from the same "opening," using the term to emphasize the natural impossibility of such contradiction.
Hebrews 11:33 employs opē when describing the heroes of faith who "shut the mouths of lions." The text suggests they hid in caves or crevices, finding safety within these dark openings. This usage connects the physical hole to a spiritual reality: God’s people were preserved not by their own strength, but by being hidden in places where danger could not reach them.
The word likely derives from a root meaning "to see," suggesting an opening through which light or sight passes. While Thayer notes its use for window openings, the biblical examples focus on earthy crevices. Translators typically render it as "hole" or "cave," capturing the sense of a concealed space that offers refuge.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word opē points to a simple physical reality: a hole, crevice, or opening in the earth. In James 3:11, it describes the source of a spring, highlighting how nature cannot produce both fresh and bitter water from the same place. This imagery helps us understand that our inner life should be consistent, reflecting one true source rather than divided loyalties.
Yet this word also carries a deeper comfort. Hebrews 11:38 mentions the heroes of faith hiding in caves and holes during times of persecution. These were not places of pride or power, but spots of vulnerability where they sought safety from those who did not value them. It reminds us that God’s protection is often found in the hidden, quiet places where we feel most exposed.
When life feels chaotic or when our words seem to betray our faith, remember that consistency matters. At the same time, know that hiding in God’s care is a valid and holy response to danger. You are never alone in your crevices of fear; He meets you there with steadfast love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- opening1×
- holes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὀπῆς1×
- ὀπαῖς1×
Key Verses
-
James 3:11
Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
This verse uses the word to describe a single source, emphasizing that true faith produces consistent fruit rather than contradictory behavior.
-
Hebrews 11:38
of whom the world was not worthy—wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.
Here the term highlights how faithful people found physical refuge in earth’s openings when the world rejected them.