ὄψιμος (opsimos)
opsimos
late (rain)
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective opsimos means "late" or "latter," specifically referring to the timing of events in relation to a season. In the New Testament, it appears only once, describing the rain that falls just before the harvest in James 5:7. This usage draws directly from the Old Testament tradition, where the phrase "latter rain" signifies the final showers necessary to ripen crops after the autumn rains.
The word connects to agricultural cycles familiar to first-century listeners. Just as farmers waited for these late rains to complete their work, James encourages believers to be patient and steadfast while they await Christ’s return. The term emphasizes a specific point in time—late enough to bring fulfillment but early enough to allow for the gathering of the harvest.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word opsimos describes the 'late rain' that falls just before harvest in James 5:7. This final shower was essential for ripening crops after the autumn rains had already done their work. It represents a time of waiting that is both necessary and purposeful, not idle or meaningless.
James uses this agricultural image to encourage believers to remain steady while they await Christ’s return. Just as farmers trust the seasonal rhythms, Christians are called to patience in uncertain times. This assurance reminds us that God’s timing brings fulfillment, even when the wait feels long.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- latter [rains];1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὄψιμον·1×
Key Verses
-
James 5:7
Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain.
This verse uniquely uses opsimos to link patient waiting for Christ's return with the farmer's reliance on the late rain for crop ripening.