3735. oros
Lexical Summary
oros: Mountain, hill

Original Word: ὄρος
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: oros
Pronunciation: o'-ros
Phonetic Spelling: (or'-os)
KJV: hill, mount(-ain)
NASB: mountain, Mount, mountains, hill
Word Origin: [probably from an obsolete oro "to rise or rear up" (perhaps akin to G142 (αἴρω - take))]

1. a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
a mountain, hill

Probably from an obsolete oro (to rise or "rear"; perhaps akin to airo; compare ornis); a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain): -hill, mount(-ain).

see GREEK airo

see GREEK ornis

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
a mountain
NASB Translation
hill (2), mount (3), Mount (15), mountain (31), mountains (12).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3735: ὄρος

ὄρος, ὄρους, τό (ὈΡΩ, ὄρνυμι (i. e. a rising; see orthroi])) (from Homer down), the Sept. for הַר, a mountain: Matthew 5:14; Luke 3:5; Revelation 6:14, and often; τό ὄρος, the mountain nearest the place spoken of, the mountain near by (but see , II. 1 b.), Matthew 5:1; Mark 3:13; Luke 9:28; John 6:3, 15; plural ὄρη, Matthew 18:12; Matthew 24:16; Mark 5:5; Revelation 6:16, etc.; genitive plural ὀρέων (on this uncontracted form, used also in Attic, cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Gram. § 49 note 3; Winers Grammar, § 9, 2 c.; (Buttmann, 14 (13); Dindorf in Fleckeisen's Jahrb. for 1869, p. 83)), Revelation 6:15; ὄρη μεθιστάνειν a proverb. phrase, used also by rabbinical writings, to remove mountains, i. e. to accomplish most difficult, stupendous, incredible things: 1 Corinthians 13:2, cf. Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:23.

Topical Lexicon
Created Grandeur and Divine Sovereignty

Mountains appear throughout Scripture as natural monuments to the Creator’s power. Every use of Strong’s 3735 in the New Testament presupposes the Genesis proclamation that God “separated the waters from the dry land,” shaping hills and peaks as fixed reminders of His rule. Luke quotes Isaiah to announce that at Messiah’s coming “every mountain and hill will be made low” (Luke 3:5), affirming that even the most formidable heights are subject to the Almighty.

Places of Revelation and Covenant

The New Testament repeatedly recalls Old-Testament encounters on mountains. Stephen speaks of Moses meeting “the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai” (Acts 7:38). Hebrews contrasts the fearsome Sinai with a new reality in Christ: “You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God” (Hebrews 12:22). Paul draws the same distinction, linking “Mount Sinai in Arabia” with the covenant of law, but identifying believers with “the Jerusalem above” (Galatians 4:25-26). Thus, mountains serve as settings where God discloses His will, establishes covenant, and foreshadows the gospel.

Mountains in the Life and Ministry of Jesus

1. Teaching: “Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain… and He began to teach them” (Matthew 5:1). The Sermon on the Mount frames Christ as the authoritative interpreter of the law.
2. Prayer: “After bidding them farewell, He went up on the mountain to pray” (Mark 6:46). Solitary heights furnished places of communion between the Son and the Father, modeling dependence for disciples.
3. Transfiguration: “He led them up a high mountain by themselves… and He was transfigured before them” (Matthew 17:1-2; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28-29). The glory revealed on the mountain confirms Jesus as the prophetic fulfillment of both Moses (law) and Elijah (prophets).
4. Entry and Olivet Discourse: Approaching Jerusalem by “the Mount of Olives” (Matthew 21:1; Mark 11:1; Luke 19:29), Jesus both presented Himself as King and later delivered His eschatological teaching while “sitting on the Mount of Olives” (Matthew 24:3).
5. Passion and Ascension: Gethsemane lies on the same mount (Luke 22:39). After His resurrection, He commissioned disciples on “the mountain” in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20) and ascended near “the Mount called Olivet” (Acts 1:12), linking mountain scenes to redemption’s climax.

Faith That Moves Mountains

Jesus uses mountains metaphorically to depict obstacles overcome by believing prayer. “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move” (Matthew 17:20; cf. 21:21; Mark 11:23). The imagery assures believers that divine power, not geographic immensity, defines what is possible.

Refuge and Judgment

Demoniacs, outcasts, and persecuted saints are found “in the mountains” (Mark 5:5; Hebrews 11:38), demonstrating that God sees those who seek refuge in desolate places. Yet the same terrain becomes a stage for divine wrath. When seals are opened, “every mountain and island was moved from its place” (Revelation 6:14); the terrified cry out, “Hide us… from the wrath of the Lamb” and beg the “mountains and rocks” to cover them (Revelation 6:15-16). In the bowls of wrath “every island fled, and the mountains could not be found” (Revelation 16:20), underscoring the futility of hiding from judgment.

Apocalyptic Imagery and Cosmic Conflict

Revelation employs mountains as colossal actors in the end-times drama:
• A “great mountain burning with fire” is thrown into the sea, embittering the waters (Revelation 8:8).
• The scarlet beast sits upon a city of “seven mountains” (Revelation 17:9), symbolizing worldly power opposed to God.

These images depict geopolitical and spiritual realities that rise and fall under God’s sovereign plan.

Mount Zion and Ultimate Hope

John’s vision culminates with triumph atop a mountain: “I looked and saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion” (Revelation 14:1). Later, an angel carries him “to a great, high mountain” to behold “the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:10). The earthly Sinai that once thundered with law gives way to a heavenly Zion filled with grace, assuring believers of a secure inheritance.

Practical Ministry Implications

• Preaching: Mountain narratives invite proclamation of both law and gospel—Sinai exposing sin, Zion offering salvation.
• Prayer and Retreat: Jesus’ habit of withdrawing to heights encourages intentional solitude for communion with God.
• Discipleship: The challenge to “move mountains” calls congregations to exercise audacious faith in mission and intercession.
• Eschatology: Mountain imagery keeps the Church watchful, fixing hope on Christ’s return when every peak will bow and the New Jerusalem will be revealed.

The sixty-four occurrences of Strong’s 3735 weave together creation, covenant, Christ’s ministry, faith’s triumphs, and the consummation of all things. From Sinai’s trembling slopes to Zion’s shining summit, Scripture presents every mountain as a platform on which the glory of God is displayed and the redemptive account advances.

Forms and Transliterations
ορει όρει ὄρει όρεσι ορεσιν όρεσιν ὄρεσιν ορεων ορεών ορέων ὀρέων ορη όρη ὄρη ορίοις όροις όρον ορος όρος ὄρος ορους όρους ὄρους οροφώματα ορτυγομήτρα ορτυγομήτραν όρυγα ore orē óre órē orei órei oreon oreōn oréon oréōn oresin óresin oros óros orous órous
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 4:8 N-ANS
GRK: διάβολος εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν λίαν
NAS: high mountain and showed
KJV: high mountain, and
INT: devil to a mountain high exceedingly

Matthew 5:1 N-ANS
GRK: εἰς τὸ ὄρος καὶ καθίσαντος
NAS: He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down,
KJV: into a mountain: and
INT: on the mountain and having sat down

Matthew 5:14 N-GNS
GRK: κρυβῆναι ἐπάνω ὄρους κειμένη
NAS: A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
KJV: that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
INT: to be hidden on a hill set

Matthew 8:1 N-GNS
GRK: ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ
NAS: When Jesus came down from the mountain, large
KJV: from the mountain, great
INT: from the mountain followed him

Matthew 14:23 N-ANS
GRK: εἰς τὸ ὄρος κατ' ἰδίαν
NAS: He went up on the mountain by Himself
KJV: into a mountain apart
INT: on the mountain apart himself

Matthew 15:29 N-ANS
GRK: εἰς τὸ ὄρος ἐκάθητο ἐκεῖ
NAS: and having gone up on the mountain, He was sitting
KJV: into a mountain, and sat down
INT: on the mountain he was sitting there

Matthew 17:1 N-ANS
GRK: αὐτοὺς εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν κατ'
NAS: them up on a high mountain by themselves.
KJV: into an high mountain apart,
INT: them into a mountain high by

Matthew 17:9 N-GNS
GRK: ἐκ τοῦ ὄρους ἐνετείλατο αὐτοῖς
NAS: As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus
KJV: from the mountain, Jesus
INT: from the mountain instructed them

Matthew 17:20 N-DNS
GRK: ἐρεῖτε τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ Μετάβα
NAS: to this mountain, 'Move
KJV: unto this mountain, Remove
INT: you will say to the mountain to this Remove

Matthew 18:12 N-ANP
GRK: ἐπὶ τὰ ὄρη καὶ πορευθεὶς
NAS: the ninety-nine on the mountains and go
KJV: into the mountains, and seeketh
INT: on the mountains and having gone

Matthew 21:1 N-ANS
GRK: εἰς τὸ Ὄρος τῶν Ἐλαιῶν
NAS: to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives,
KJV: unto the mount of Olives,
INT: on the mount of Olives

Matthew 21:21 N-DNS
GRK: κἂν τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ εἴπητε
NAS: to this mountain, 'Be taken
KJV: unto this mountain, Be thou removed,
INT: even if to the mountain this you should say

Matthew 24:3 N-GNS
GRK: ἐπὶ τοῦ Ὄρους τῶν Ἐλαιῶν
NAS: As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives,
KJV: upon the mount of Olives,
INT: upon the mount of Olives

Matthew 24:16 N-ANP
GRK: εἰς τὰ ὄρη
NAS: must flee to the mountains.
KJV: flee into the mountains:
INT: to the mountains

Matthew 26:30 N-ANS
GRK: εἰς τὸ Ὄρος τῶν Ἐλαιῶν
NAS: they went out to the Mount of Olives.
KJV: into the mount of Olives.
INT: to the mount of Olives

Matthew 28:16 N-ANS
GRK: εἰς τὸ ὄρος οὗ ἐτάξατο
NAS: to Galilee, to the mountain which
KJV: Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus
INT: to the mountain where appointed

Mark 3:13 N-ANS
GRK: εἰς τὸ ὄρος καὶ προσκαλεῖται
NAS: And He went up on the mountain and summoned
KJV: into a mountain, and
INT: on the mountain and calls to [him]

Mark 5:5 N-DNP
GRK: ἐν τοῖς ὄρεσιν ἦν κράζων
NAS: the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing
KJV: he was in the mountains, and in
INT: in the mountains he was crying

Mark 5:11 N-DNS
GRK: πρὸς τῷ ὄρει ἀγέλη χοίρων
NAS: feeding nearby on the mountain.
KJV: nigh unto the mountains a great
INT: near the mountain a herd of pigs

Mark 6:46 N-ANS
GRK: εἰς τὸ ὄρος προσεύξασθαι
NAS: He left for the mountain to pray.
KJV: he departed into a mountain to pray.
INT: into the moutain to pray

Mark 9:2 N-ANS
GRK: αὐτοὺς εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν κατ'
NAS: them up on a high mountain by themselves.
KJV: an high mountain apart
INT: them into a mountain high apart

Mark 9:9 N-GNS
GRK: ἐκ τοῦ ὄρους διεστείλατο αὐτοῖς
NAS: As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders
KJV: from the mountain, he charged
INT: from the mountain he instructed them

Mark 11:1 N-ANS
GRK: πρὸς τὸ Ὄρος τῶν Ἐλαιῶν
NAS: near the Mount of Olives,
KJV: at the mount of Olives,
INT: near the mount of Olives

Mark 11:23 N-DNS
GRK: εἴπῃ τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ Ἄρθητι
NAS: to this mountain, 'Be taken
KJV: unto this mountain, Be thou removed,
INT: shall say to the mountain this Be you taken away

Mark 13:3 N-ANS
GRK: εἰς τὸ Ὄρος τῶν Ἐλαιῶν
NAS: As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives
KJV: upon the mount of Olives
INT: upon the mount of Olives

Strong's Greek 3735
64 Occurrences


ὄρη — 7 Occ.
ὄρει — 11 Occ.
ὀρέων — 1 Occ.
ὄρεσιν — 4 Occ.
ὄρος — 29 Occ.
ὄρους — 12 Occ.

3734
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