Original Word: ὦ
Part of Speech: Interjection
Transliteration: ó
Pronunciation: ō
Phonetic Spelling: (o)
Definition: O, an exclamation, used in addressing someone.
Meaning: The Greek particle ὦ is an exclamatory expression used to convey strong emotion, often translated as "O" or "Oh" in English. It is used to address someone directly, often in a vocative sense, to express deep emotion, surprise, or emphasis.

Word Origin: A primary exclamatory particle

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek particle ὦ does not have a direct equivalent in Hebrew, as it functions primarily as an exclamatory particle in Greek. However, similar expressions of emotion or direct address can be found in Hebrew through various interjections or vocative forms, though they are not directly linked to a specific Strong's Hebrew entry.

Usage: The particle ὦ is used in the New Testament to express a range of emotions, including lament, admiration, or earnest appeal. It is often found in direct addresses, particularly in the context of prayer, exhortation, or lamentation.

Context: The Greek particle ὦ appears in the New Testament as a vocative exclamation, serving to draw attention or express a deep emotional response. It is frequently used in direct addresses to individuals or groups, often in contexts of earnest appeal or lamentation. For example, in Romans 11:33, Paul exclaims, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" (BSB), using ὦ to express awe and wonder at God's wisdom. Similarly, in Galatians 3:1, Paul uses ὦ to address the Galatians with a sense of urgency and rebuke: "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?" (BSB). The particle serves to heighten the emotional intensity of the address, underscoring the speaker's deep concern or admiration.

In the Gospels, Jesus uses ὦ in expressions of lament or rebuke, as seen in Matthew 23:37: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her..." (BSB). Here, ὦ conveys a profound sense of sorrow and lament over Jerusalem's rejection of God's messengers. The use of ὦ in such contexts highlights the speaker's emotional investment and the gravity of the situation being addressed.

The particle ὦ is not limited to negative emotions; it can also express positive emotions such as admiration or praise. Its usage is consistent with the broader Greek literary tradition, where exclamatory particles serve to convey the speaker's emotional state and engage the audience more directly.

5599 (an exclamatory particle) – Oh! 5599 /ō ("oh!") always expresses intense emotion. Depending on the context, 5599 (ō) can convey: spirited approval, urgency, exasperation, importance, joy, etc. (see B-D 146, 16).

Word Origin
a prim. interj.
Definition
O, oh!
NASB Translation
O (7), Oh (1).

STRONGS NT 5599: ὦ

ὦ, an interjection, prefixed to vocatives (on its use in the N. T. cf. Buttmann, 140 (122); (Winers Grammar, § 29, 3)), O; it is used a. in address: ὦ Θεόφιλε, Acts 1:1; add, Acts 18:14; Acts 27:21 (here Tdf. ὦ (ex errore); on the passages which follow cf. Buttmann, as above); Romans 2:1, 3; Romans 9:20; 1 Timothy 6:20; and, at the same time, reproof, James 2:20.

b. in exclamation: and that of admiration, Matthew 15:28; Romans 11:33 (here Rec.st Lachmann ὦ; cf. Chandler §§ 902 and especially 904); of reproof, Luke 24:25; Acts 13:10; Galatians 3:1; with the nominative (Winer's Grammar, § 29, 2), Matthew 17:17; Mark 9:19; Luke 9:41. ((From Homer down.))

O.

A primary interjection; as a sign of the vocative case, O; as a note of exclamation, oh -- O.

Ω Ὢ Ὦ o ô Ō Ṑ Ō̂Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts