ὀφρῦς (ophrus)
ophrus
brow
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek noun ophrus refers specifically to the eyebrow or the brow of a hill. Its meaning hinges on the idea of a raised edge or prominence that sits above something else, such as the shading provided by an eyebrow over the eye or the ridge line of a mountain.
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 4:29. The text describes Jesus being driven to the edge of a cliff in Nazareth, where He was about to be thrown off "the brow of the hill" on which their town was built. The sources suggest the term captures this sharp, projecting ridge that defines the boundary of the settlement.
Its etymology may connect to the concept of proximity or shading near the eye, emphasizing its role as a protective or defining border. Translators render it simply as "brow" or "edge," highlighting the physical danger and the specific geography of the scene where the community attempts to execute Him.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ophrus describes the sharp ridge or edge of a hill, appearing only once in the New Testament at Luke 4:29. Here, Jesus is led to this precipice by those who reject Him. This specific geographic detail grounds the narrative in real danger and physical reality.
For your faith, this image reminds us that following Christ often involves walking through conflict and misunderstanding. The edge of the hill represents a boundary where hostility meets grace. Even when surrounded by rejection, Jesus remains in control, stepping away from the cliff before harm can come to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- brow1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὀφρύος1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 4:29
They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff.
This is the sole New Testament occurrence, using the term to describe the specific geographic ridge where Jesus was nearly thrown off.