Lexical Summary omma: Eye Original Word: ὄμμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance eye. From optanomai; a sight, i.e. (by implication) the eye -- eye. see GREEK optanomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably akin to ops (the eye) Definition an eye NASB Translation eyes (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3659: ὄμμαὄμμα, ὀμματος, τό (from ό᾿πτομαι (see ὁράω), part ᾦμμαι), from Homer down, an eye: plural, Matthew 20:34 L T Tr WH; Mark 8:23. (The Sept. for עַיִן, Proverbs 6:4; Proverbs 7:2; Proverbs 10:26.) Topical Lexicon Linguistic Background Ὄμμα (Strong’s Greek 3659) is a rare New-Testament term for the physical organ of sight. Classical writers often used it for the visible eye itself, while the more common New-Testament noun ὀφθαλμός (Strong’s 3788) can refer both to the organ and to perception. The deliberate choice of ὄμμα in two healing narratives heightens attention to the tangible, material eyes that are being touched and restored. Biblical Usage 1. Mark 8:23 – “He spit on the man’s eyes (ὄμματα) and laid His hands on him. ‘Can you see anything?’ He asked.” Both contexts present: The noun’s scarcity underscores the uniqueness of these moments in the Gospel record, marking them as signs of messianic authority predicted in Isaiah 35:5, “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened.” Theological Insights Restoration of literal eyesight functions as a tangible parable of spiritual illumination: Jesus therefore ministers to body and soul, satisfying the holistic salvation envisioned by the prophets. Historical Context and Second-Temple Expectations Jewish tradition linked blindness with impurity (Leviticus 21:18) and marginalization. Contemporary Greco-Roman healers used saliva and touch, yet the Evangelists portray Jesus’ methods not as magical rites but as demonstrations of sovereign power. By employing actions familiar to the culture, He communicates in comprehensible forms while transcending them by the immediacy and completeness of the cure. Christological Significance • Fulfilment of messianic prophecy: opening eyes is stipulated in Isaiah 42:6-7 and echoed in Jesus’ programmatic statement, “He has sent Me to proclaim… recovery of sight to the blind” (Luke 4:18). Practical Ministry Implications 1. Hands-on compassion: authentic ministry engages the afflicted personally, modeling the incarnational approach of Christ. Intertextual Resonances • Physical eyes: Psalm 146:8, “The LORD opens the eyes of the blind.” Application for Personal Discipleship Believers are called to examine whether unseen forms of blindness persist—prejudices, unbelief, or ignorance of Scripture—and to seek the Lord’s touch afresh. As recipients of sight, they are also bearers of sight, pointing others to the Light of the World through compassionate engagement and faithful proclamation. Forms and Transliterations όμμα όμμασι όμμασιν ομματα όμματα ὄμματα ομματων ομμάτων ὀμμάτων ommata ómmata ommaton ommatōn ommáton ommátōnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 20:34 N-GNPGRK: ἥψατο τῶν ὀμμάτων αὐτῶν καὶ NAS: touched their eyes; and immediately INT: touched the eyes of them and Mark 8:23 N-ANP Strong's Greek 3659 |
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