2072. esoptron

Lexicon

esoptron: Mirror

Original Word: ἔσοπτρον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: esoptron
Pronunciation: eh'-sop-tron
Phonetic Spelling: (es'-op-tron)
Definition: Mirror
Meaning: a mirror, looking-glass (made of highly polished metal).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

glass.

From eis and a presumed derivative of optanomai; a mirror (for looking into) -- glass. Compare katoptrizomai.

see GREEK eis

see GREEK optanomai

see GREEK katoptrizomai

HELPS Word-studies

2072 ésoptron – a metallic mirror (not made of glass). Ancient mirrors (merely made of polished metal) only produced an indistinct image (reflection). So, to get an accurate picture (reflection) the viewer had to look from several different angles ("standpoints"). This has profound implications in "doing theology"!

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from eis and the fut. of horaó
Definition
a mirror (i.e. an object for looking into)
NASB Translation
mirror (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2072: ἔσοπτρον

ἔσοπτρον, ἐσόπτρου, τό (ὈΠΤΩ), a mirror: 1 Corinthians 13:12; James 1:23. (Wis. 7:26; Sir. 12:11; Pindar Nem. 7, 20; Anacreon () 11, (7 (6)) 3; Plutarch; others) The mirrors of the ancients were made, not of glass (cf. B. D. under the word , at the end), but of steel; Pliny, h. n. 33 (9) 45; 34, (17) 48 (but see the passages just referred to, and B. D. under the word mirror).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb "εἴδω" (eidō), meaning "to see" or "to know."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἔσοπτρον in the Old Testament. However, the concept of seeing or reflecting can be related to Hebrew words such as רָאָה (ra'ah, Strong's Hebrew 7200), meaning "to see," or מַרְאָה (mar'ah, Strong's Hebrew 4759), meaning "vision" or "appearance." These terms capture the broader theme of perception and understanding found in biblical texts.

Usage: The term ἔσοπτρον is used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe the partial and indirect nature of human understanding and perception, particularly in spiritual matters.

Context: The Greek word ἔσοπτρον appears in the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 13:12. In this passage, the Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a mirror to illustrate the limited and imperfect nature of human knowledge and spiritual insight in the present age. He contrasts this with the complete and clear understanding that believers will have in the future, when they will see "face to face."

In the ancient world, mirrors were typically made of polished metal, such as bronze, and provided a less clear reflection than modern glass mirrors. This historical context enriches the metaphor, emphasizing the imperfect and dim reflection that believers currently experience in their understanding of divine truths.

The passage in 1 Corinthians 13:12 reads: "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (BSB)

This verse is part of a larger discourse on love and spiritual gifts, where Paul emphasizes the superiority of love over other spiritual gifts, which are temporary and partial. The use of ἔσοπτρον underscores the theme of partial knowledge and the anticipation of complete understanding in the eschatological future.

Forms and Transliterations

εσοπτρου εσόπτρου ἐσόπτρου εσοπτρω εσόπτρω ἐσόπτρῳ esoptro esoptrō esóptroi esóptrōi esoptrou esóptrou

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 13:12 N-GNS
GRK: ἄρτι δι' ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι
NAS: we see in a mirror dimly,
KJV: we see through a glass, darkly; but
INT: presently through a glass in obscurity

James 1:23 N-DNS
GRK: αὐτοῦ ἐν ἐσόπτρῳ
NAS: at his natural face in a mirror;
KJV: face in a glass:
INT: of him in a mirror

Strong's Greek 2072
2 Occurrences

ἐσόπτρῳ — 1 Occ.
ἐσόπτρου — 1 Occ.