Berean Strong's Lexicon aphormé: Occasion, Opportunity, Pretext Original Word: ἀφορμή Word Origin: Derived from ἀπό (apo, meaning "from") and ὁρμή (hormé, meaning "impulse" or "onset") Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "aphormé," the concept of an "opportunity" or "occasion" can be related to Hebrew words like פֶּתַח (pethach, meaning "opening" or "entrance") and עֵת (eth, meaning "time" or "season"). Usage: In the New Testament, "aphormé" is used to denote an opportunity or occasion, often implying a pretext or a starting point for action. It can refer to both positive and negative contexts, where an opportunity is seized for good or ill purposes. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of "aphormé" was understood as a strategic advantage or a starting point for an endeavor. It was often used in military contexts to describe a base of operations or a point of departure for an attack. In the New Testament, this term is used metaphorically to describe opportunities or occasions that arise in the moral and spiritual life of individuals. HELPS Word-studies 874 aphormḗ (from 575 /apó, "away from" and 3730 /hormḗ, "a violent rush") – properly, a pretext ("launching point") to assert an idea – literally, "what charges from (off) a starting point"; (figuratively) the occasion something has to come forward because having the "successful launching pad" to get something started ("affording an opportunity"). 874 (aphormḗ) is usually used negatively in the NT, but positively in 2 Cor 5:12. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and hormaó Definition a starting point, i.e. fig. an occasion NASB Translation occasion (2), opportunity (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 874: ἀφορμήἀφορμή, ἀφορμῆς, ἡ (ἀπό and ὁρμή which see); 1. properly, a place from which a movement or attack is made, a base of operations: Thucydides 1, 90 (τήν Πελοποννησον πᾶσιν ἀναχωρησιν τέ καί ἀφορμήν ἱκανήν εἶναι); Polybius 1, 41, 6. 2. metaphorically, "that by which endeavor is excited and from which it goes forth; that which gives occasion and supplies matter for an undertaking, the incentive; the resources we avail ourselves of in attempting or performing anything": Xenophon, mem. 3, 12, 4 (τοῖς ἑαυτῶν παισί καλλιους ἀφορμας εἰς τόν βίον καταλειπουσι), and often in Greek writings; λαμβάνειν, to take occasion, find an incentive, Romans 7:8, 11 διδόναι, 2 Corinthians 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:14 (3Macc. 3:2; both phrases often also in Greek writings); 2 Corinthians 11:12; Galatians 5:13. On the meanings of this word see Viger. edition Herm., p. 81f; Phryn. ed. Lob., p. 223f; (Rutherford, New Phryn., p. 304). From a compound of apo and hormao; a starting-point, i.e. (figuratively) an opportunity -- occasion. see GREEK apo see GREEK hormao Englishman's Concordance Romans 7:8 N-AFSGRK: ἀφορμὴν δὲ λαβοῦσα NAS: taking opportunity through KJV: taking occasion by INT: opportunity however having taken Romans 7:11 N-AFS 2 Corinthians 5:12 N-AFS 2 Corinthians 11:12 N-AFS 2 Corinthians 11:12 N-AFS Galatians 5:13 N-AFS 1 Timothy 5:14 N-AFS |
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