Strong's g3706

Pronunciation Guide: ho-rah-sis

Quick Answer: ὅρασις (horasis) means divine vision, supernatural sight, or prophetic revelation that God gives to reveal spiritual realities, future events, and His character to His people.

What Does ὅρασις Mean?

Strong’s G3706: ὅρασις refers to supernatural vision, divine sight, or prophetic revelation that transcends natural perception. This word encompasses both the act of seeing beyond the physical realm and the content of what is revealed through such divine encounters. In biblical usage, ὅρασις represents God’s gracious method of communicating with humanity through visual revelations, dreams, and prophetic experiences. The word carries the profound implication that God desires to show His people realities that cannot be perceived through ordinary human senses, revealing His plans, character, and eternal purposes.

Key Insight: ὅρασις represents God’s desire to pull back the veil between heaven and earth, allowing believers to see from His perspective.

Where Does ὅρασις Come From?

• Part of Speech: Feminine noun
• Root Word: ὁράω (horao) – to see, perceive, behold
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Prophetic literature, narrative accounts of divine encounters, apocalyptic passages

What Is the History of ὅρασις?

The word ὅρασις emerges from the rich tapestry of Greek literature, where it initially described both physical sight and mental perception. In classical works like those of Plato and Aristotle, ὅρασις referred to the faculty of vision as one of the primary senses through which humans acquire knowledge. However, the word gradually developed metaphorical meanings related to understanding, insight, and intellectual perception.

In the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, ὅρασις took on profound theological significance as it became the primary Greek term for translating Hebrew words like חָזוֹן (chazon) and מַרְאֶה (mareh), which describe prophetic visions and divine revelations. The translators chose ὅρασις because it captured both the visual nature of these experiences and their revelatory character. This usage established ὅρασις as a technical term for divine communication through supernatural sight.

Early church fathers like John Chrysostom and Jerome used ὅρασις to describe the various ways God reveals Himself to believers, emphasizing that such visions serve not merely as mystical experiences but as practical revelations meant to guide, encourage, and instruct God’s people in their earthly journey.

Historical Summary: ὅρασις evolved from describing physical sight in classical Greek to becoming the primary biblical term for divine revelation and prophetic vision.

How Should ὅρασις Be Translated?

• Vision – supernatural sight or divine revelation
• Sight – the act of perceiving beyond natural ability
• Appearance – a manifestation of divine presence
• Revelation – God’s disclosure of hidden truths
• Dream – divinely inspired nocturnal vision

Translation Tip: Context determines whether ὅρασις refers to a supernatural visual experience, prophetic revelation, or divine manifestation – all carrying the sense of God revealing what was previously hidden.

ὅρασις Translation Options:

• Vision – Most common translation emphasizing the supernatural, revelatory nature of the experience
• Sight – Used when emphasizing the act of perceiving or the faculty of spiritual perception
• Appearance – Appropriate when describing a divine manifestation or theophany
• Revelation – Suitable when the content or message of the vision is emphasized
• Divine encounter – Modern rendering that captures the relational aspect of receiving ὅρασις from God

How Is ὅρασις Used in the Bible?

Throughout Scripture, ὅρασις appears primarily in contexts where God breaks into human experience to reveal His purposes, warn of coming events, or provide guidance during critical moments. The word consistently carries the implication that what is seen transcends natural perception and represents divine initiative in communication. In prophetic literature, ὅρασις often introduces major revelations about God’s character, His plans for His people, or future events that will unfold according to His sovereignty.

The apostolic writings employ ὅρασις to describe the continuation of prophetic revelation in the New Covenant era, demonstrating that God continues to communicate with His people through supernatural means. These visions serve various purposes: confirming God’s promises, providing direction for ministry, revealing spiritual realities, and encouraging believers during times of persecution or uncertainty.

The biblical pattern shows that recipients of ὅρασις are typically people who walk closely with God and are positioned to receive and steward divine revelation for the benefit of His people. The visions are never merely personal experiences but carry implications for the broader community of faith and God’s redemptive purposes in the world.

Usage Summary: ὅρασις appears when God initiates supernatural communication to reveal His character, plans, or guidance to His covenant people throughout biblical history.

Cross-Reference Verses:

• “And it shall be in the last days, God says, that I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions [ὁράσεις], and your old men shall dream dreams.” Acts 2:17
• “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision [ὅρασιν], an object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky.” Acts 11:5
• “And a vision [ὅρασις] appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.'” Acts 16:9
• “But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you.” Acts 26:16

What Cultural Context Surrounds ὅρασις?

In the ancient Mediterranean world, divine visions were recognized across various cultures as legitimate means of communication between the divine and human realms. However, the Hebrew understanding of ὅρασις carried distinctive characteristics that set it apart from pagan concepts of divine revelation. Unlike the often cryptic and ambiguous oracles of Greek and Roman religion, biblical ὅρασις consistently served God’s covenant purposes and aligned with His revealed character and promises.

The Jewish context of ὅρασις is particularly rich, as it connects to the Hebrew concept of prophetic sight where seers (רֹאֶה – ro’eh) and prophets (נָבִיא – navi) served as God’s spokespersons to His people. The Hebrew idiom “opening the eyes” frequently appears in passages describing divine revelation, suggesting that ὅρασις involves God removing spiritual blindness and enabling supernatural perception of His reality and purposes.

In the first-century Jewish world, visions were understood as continuation of the prophetic tradition, confirming that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remained actively involved in His people’s lives. The early Messianic community’s experience of ὅρασις validated their understanding that the last days prophesied by Joel had begun, and that the Spirit’s outpouring would democratize prophetic experience among all who call upon the name of יהוה (Yahweh).

Cultural Context: ὅρασις represented God’s continued prophetic communication with His covenant people, distinguishing Hebrew revelation from pagan divination through its clear, purposeful, and character-consistent nature.

What Does ὅρασις Teach Us About God?

The concept of ὅρασις reveals profound truths about God’s character and His relationship with humanity. First, it demonstrates that our God is not distant or silent but actively desires to communicate with His people. Unlike deities of other ancient religions who remained aloof and mysterious, יהוה (Yahweh) graciously reveals Himself through ὅρασις, showing His heart as a loving Father who guides His children.

Second, ὅρασις reveals God’s sovereignty over time and circumstances. Through prophetic visions, He demonstrates His ability to see the end from the beginning and His commitment to preparing His people for what lies ahead. This aspect of ὅρασις shows God as the ultimate strategist who works all things according to His perfect will and timing, never caught off guard by earthly events.

The giving of ὅρασις also reveals God’s desire for intimate relationship with His people. These divine encounters are never merely informational but deeply relational, often accompanied by calls to deeper commitment, service, or trust. Through ὅρασις, God invites believers into His perspective, sharing His heart for the lost, His plans for redemption, and His vision for the future kingdom where the Messiah Jesus will reign in righteousness and justice.

Theological Core: ὅρασις reveals God as an actively communicating, sovereign, and relationally engaged Father who desires to share His perspective with His beloved children.

How Can I Apply ὅρασις to My Life?

Understanding ὅρασις challenges modern believers to cultivate spiritual sensitivity and expectancy for God’s continued communication in our lives. While not every believer will experience dramatic supernatural visions, the principle behind ὅρασις encourages us to position ourselves to receive divine insight through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in daily circumstances.

Practically, embracing the reality of ὅρασις means developing eyes to see beyond immediate circumstances to God’s larger purposes and kingdom perspective. This involves regular times of seeking God’s face, studying His Word to recognize His voice, and maintaining a heart posture that says, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” When we understand that our God still desires to reveal Himself and His purposes to His people, we approach life with greater confidence in His guidance and provision.

Self-Examination Questions: Am I positioning myself to receive God’s perspective through prayer and Scripture? Do I expect God to provide guidance and revelation for my life circumstances? How can I cultivate greater spiritual sensitivity to recognize His voice?

What Words Are Similar to ὅρασις?

• ὁράω (horao) – to see, perceive, behold; the root verb from which ὅρασις derives, emphasizing the act of seeing – See G3708
• ὀπτασία (optasia) – vision, supernatural appearance; more emphatic term for dramatic divine manifestations – See G3701
• φάντασμα (phantasma) – apparition, ghostly appearance; differs from ὅρασις in being potentially deceptive or frightening – See G5326
• ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis) – revelation, unveiling; broader term for divine disclosure that may include but extends beyond visual experiences – See G602
• ἔκστασις (ekstasis) – trance, ecstasy; describes the altered state of consciousness often accompanying ὅρασις – See G1611

Did You Know?

• What does ὅρασις mean in modern Greek? Modern Greek retains ὅρασις (όραση) primarily for physical eyesight and vision, having largely lost the biblical sense of supernatural revelation, though it occasionally appears in religious contexts referring to divine visions.
• How did Plato use ὅρασις? Plato employed ὅρασις in his philosophical writings to describe both physical sight and intellectual perception, using it metaphorically in his famous “Allegory of the Cave” to represent the soul’s journey from ignorance to enlightenment.
• What’s the difference between ὅρασις and ὀπτασία? While both refer to supernatural visions, ὀπτασία typically describes more dramatic, overwhelming divine appearances (like angels), whereas ὅρασις can include gentler revelatory experiences and prophetic insights.
• Why does the Bible use ὅρασις frequently in Acts? The Book of Acts demonstrates the continuation of prophetic revelation in the early church, with ὅρασις appearing at crucial moments of evangelistic expansion and divine guidance, showing God’s active leadership in spreading the Gospel.
• How does ὅρασις relate to prophetic ministry? ὅρασις forms the foundation of biblical prophecy, as true prophets receive their messages through divine visions rather than human imagination, establishing the supernatural origin and authority of their proclamations.
• What causes spiritual blindness that prevents receiving ὅρασις today? Scripture suggests that unrepentant sin, pride, lack of faith, and failure to seek God earnestly can hinder our ability to receive divine revelation, while humility, purity of heart, and persistent prayer position us to receive God’s ὅρασις.

Remember This

ὅρασις stands as God’s gracious invitation to see beyond the veil of ordinary perception into the extraordinary reality of His kingdom, purposes, and heart—a divine gift that transforms how we understand our circumstances, our calling, and our eternal destiny in Him.