οὐρά (oura)
oura
tail
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun oura simply means "tail." In the New Testament, it appears only three times, all within the Book of Revelation. This limited usage allows the word to carry specific symbolic weight rather than serving as a general term for anatomy.
John uses oura to describe the destructive power of demonic forces. In Revelation 9:10 and 9:19, it refers to the tails of locusts that resemble scorpions, capable of harming people for five months. Later, in Revelation 12:4, the word describes a great red dragon whose tail sweeps down a third of the stars in the sky, highlighting the scale of cosmic conflict.
The term connects back to the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint), where it translates the Hebrew word zanab. While zanab can refer to the tail of an animal like an ox or a serpent, John adapts this imagery for apocalyptic vision. The focus is not on biology but on the instrument of judgment and chaos wielded by spiritual adversaries.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word oura appears only three times in the New Testament, always within the vivid imagery of Revelation. It translates simply as "tail," but John uses it to depict instruments of chaos and judgment wielded by spiritual adversaries. In these visions, tails are not merely anatomical details; they represent the destructive power of demonic forces that seek to harm God’s people.
For believers, this imagery underscores the reality of spiritual conflict without inviting fear. The text describes locusts with scorpion-like tails and a dragon sweeping stars from the sky, highlighting the scale of cosmic struggle. Yet these symbols serve to reveal the enemy’s nature rather than to terrify the faithful. Understanding this helps us see that such chaos is permitted within God’s sovereign timeline.
When we encounter passages describing such intense spiritual warfare, we can find comfort in knowing that these forces are limited. The locusts could only harm for five months, and the dragon’s power was ultimately thwarted. This reminds us that evil has boundaries set by God, offering hope and stability to those navigating difficult seasons of faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- tails4×
- tail1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- οὐραῖς2×
- οὐρὰς1×
- οὐρὰ1×
- οὐραὶ1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 9:10
They have tails like those of scorpions, with stingers. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months.
This verse specifies the duration of the locusts' torment, showing that their destructive power is time-limited and subject to divine restriction.
-
Revelation of John 9:19
For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads; and with them they harm.
Here the tail is linked directly to the horse's power, identifying it as a primary weapon for inflicting harm alongside the mouth.
-
Revelation of John 12:4
His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.
The dragon's tail sweeping stars illustrates the magnitude of cosmic rebellion and the strategic intent to disrupt heavenly order before attacking the woman.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does oura mean in the Bible?
Why does Revelation mention tails so specifically?
How is oura different from other words for body parts?
Does this word appear outside Revelation?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Revelation of John 3 verses
They have tails like those of scorpions, with stingers. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months.
Revelation of John 9:19For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads;…
Revelation of John 12:4His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was…