ὥρα (hōra)
hōra
hour
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 100 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word hōra primarily denotes a specific, definite point in time rather than an indefinite duration. While it can refer to a season or a twelfth part of the daylight hours, its most significant usage in Scripture marks critical moments in salvation history. In John’s Gospel, for instance, Jesus speaks of "his hour" as the appointed time for his crucifixion and glorification (John 2:4; 12:23), transforming the word from a simple measure of minutes into a theological marker of divine purpose.
Lexical sources note that hōra often corresponds to the Hebrew ‘et, emphasizing a fixed season determined by God rather than human scheduling. This sense of appointed timing appears when Jesus tells his disciples that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified (John 12:23) or when he notes that the hour is coming when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:23). It signals that history is moving toward a specific, preordained conclusion.
The word also carries a sense of immediacy, sometimes translated as "moment" or "instant." In Revelation 17:12, ten kings receive authority for "one hour," suggesting a brief but potent period of action. This usage highlights the brevity of earthly power against the backdrop of eternal reality, reminding readers that decisive spiritual events often unfold within narrow windows of time.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hōra points to a specific moment fixed by God, rather than just a stretch of time we measure on a clock. In the Gospels, Jesus often speaks of "his hour" as the appointed time for his death and resurrection. This shows that history is not random; it moves toward a purposeful conclusion defined by divine love.
For your daily life, this means you are never out of step with God's timing. When you face uncertainty, remember that even moments of waiting have meaning. The same God who knows the exact hour of the end also knows the hour of your quiet struggles, offering peace in the present moment.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 100 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- hour67×
- an hour12×
- [the] hour8×
- hour,5×
- hours3×
- hour;2×
- hour.2×
- [The] hour2×
- when the hour1×
- time1×
- of an hour1×
- hour?1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὥρα28×
- ὥρᾳ25×
- ὥραν22×
- ὥρας20×
- ὥρᾳ,2×
- ὥρα·2×
- ὥρα,2×
- ὧραί1×
- ὥρᾳ.1×
- ὥρας,1×
- ὥραν;1×
- ὥραν,1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 24:36
“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
This verse highlights that while human schedules are unknown to us, God’s ultimate plan remains secure and sovereign.
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Matthew 26:45
Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Jesus identifies this specific hour as the moment of his betrayal, transforming a time of fear into one of obedient purpose.
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Mark 13:32
“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
This reference reinforces that the timing of future events rests solely with the Father, inviting trust rather than anxiety about the unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between hōra and kairos?
Why does Jesus call his death "his hour"?
Does hōra always mean sixty minutes?
Every Occurrence (100 verses across 13 books)
Matthew 21 verses
Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that…
Matthew 9:22But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was…
Matthew 10:19But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you…
Matthew 14:15When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send…
Matthew 15:28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was…
Matthew 17:18Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.
Matthew 18:1In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Matthew 20:3He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
Matthew 20:5Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
Matthew 20:6About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day…
Matthew 20:9“When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius.
Matthew 20:12saying, ‘These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and…
Matthew 24:36“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 24:44Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
Matthew 24:50the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn’t expect it and in an hour when he doesn’t know it,
Matthew 25:13Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Matthew 26:40He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?
Matthew 26:45Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and…
Matthew 26:55In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I…
Matthew 27:45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
Matthew 27:46About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why…