ὀρθός (orthos)
orthos
upright
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective orthos describes something that is straight, upright, or erect. It conveys physical correctness in posture or alignment, distinguishing a direct line from one that is crooked or bent. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, yet it carries a clear visual weight.
In Acts 14:10, Paul addresses a man who had been lame from birth. The text notes that Paul saw the man was standing upright (orthos). Here, the word marks a physical transformation from a state of disability to one of wholeness and stability. It is not merely about being on one’s feet, but about the integrity of the body’s structure.
Hebrews 12:13 uses the term figuratively to encourage believers to make straight paths for their feet. The image draws from the idea of walking without stumbling on uneven ground. By keeping the path straight, the weak hand and feeble knee are strengthened. The word thus bridges physical posture with moral direction, suggesting that integrity in conduct leads to stability in life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word orthos describes a state of being upright or straight. In Acts 14:10, Paul sees a man who had been lame from birth standing upright. This moment marks a physical transformation from disability to wholeness. It is not just about being on one’s feet, but about the integrity of the body’s structure.
Hebrews 12:13 uses this image to encourage believers to make straight paths for their feet. When we walk with integrity, our weak hands and feeble knees are strengthened. This word bridges physical posture with moral direction, showing that honesty in conduct leads to stability in life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- upright!1×
- straight1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὀρθός.1×
- ὀρθὰς1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 14:10
said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” He leaped up and walked.
Paul uses the command to stand upright to initiate a healing miracle for a man lame from birth.
-
Hebrews 12:13
and make straight paths for your feet, so what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
The author applies the concept of straightness to moral conduct, urging believers to avoid stumbling.