Lexical Definition
ἀφορμή aphormḗ (af-or-may') opportunity G:N-F
from a compound of ἀπό and ὁρμάω
occasion.
- a starting-point, i.e. (figuratively) an opportunity
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| ἀφορμὴν | An occasion | Rom.7.8 • Rom.7.11 |
| an opportunity | Gal.5.13 | |
| occasion | 2Cor.5.12 • 1Tim.5.14 | |
| opportunity | 2Cor.11.12 | |
| ἀφορμήν | an opportunity | 2Cor.11.12 |
| αφορμήν | opportunity | LXX.Prov.9.9 |
| αφορμή | your opportunity | LXX.Ezek.5.7 |
Abbott-Smith
ἀφ-ορμή, -ῆς, ἡ, [in LXX: Ez 5:7 (הָמַן), Pr 9:9, III Mac 3:2*;]
prop., a starting point; in war, a base of operations; metaph., an occasion, incentive, opportunity (MM, s.v.): II Co 11:12, Ga 5:13; ἀφ. λαμβάνειν, Lk 11:24, WH, mg., Ro 7:8, 11; ἀφ. διδόναι, II Co 5:12, I Ti 5:14.†
Abbott-Smith References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Proverbs | 9:9 |
| Ezekiel | 5:7 |
| Luke | 11:24 |
| Romans | 7:8 · 7:11 |
| 2 Corinthians | 5:12 · 11:12 |
| Galatians | 5:13 |
| 1 Timothy | 5:14 |
Liddell-Scott-Jones
ἀφορμή-ή, ἡ,
starting-point, especially in war, base of operations, ἀναχώρησίς τε καὶ ἀ.[Refs 5th c.BC+]; place of safety, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__2 generally, starting-point, origin, occasion or pretext, ἀφορμήαὶ λόγων[ἀφορμήὴν παρέχειν 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 18.156; δεδωκέναι [prev. author] 21.98, cf. NT.2Cor.5.12; λαβεῖν ἀ. 5th-6th c.BC: Isocrates Orator 4.61, NT.Rom.7.8; εὑρεῖν “BGU” 615.6(2nd c.AD), 923.22 (1st-2nd c.AD)">NT+5th c.BC+]; ἵνα ἀ. γένοιτο τιμῆς[Refs 1st c.BC+]; ἀ. καὶ πρόφασις[Refs 2nd c.BC+]; occasion, origin of an illness, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; εἰδέ τις οἴεται μικρὰν ἀ. εἶναι σιτηρέσιον τοῖς στρατευομένοις ὑπάρχειν a small inducement, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; instigation, incitement, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__3 means with which one begins a thing, resources, ἀ. τοῦ βίου[ἀφορμήὰς ἡ πόλι; 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 18.233; ἀφελεῖν τὴν ἀ. δι᾽ ἣν ὑβρίζει [prev. author] 21.98">Refs 5th c.BC+]; πίστις ἀ. μεγίστη πρὸς χρηματισμόν good faith is the best asset for business, [Refs]; ἀ. ἐπί.. [Refs]; especially means of war, [Refs 5th c.BC+]means for levying [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀ. ἔργων means for undertaking.., [ἀφορμήὴν ἐμπορίας ἢ γεωργίας 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Politica” 1320a39; πάντων ἀ. τῶν καλῶν 4th-3rd c.BC: Philemo Comicus 110. ">Refs 4th c.BC+]
__4 capital of a banker, etc., [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀφορμήῆς δίκη suit for restitution of capital, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__5 Rhet., food for argument, material, subject, ὑποθέσεις καὶ ἀφορμήαὶ λόγων[Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__6 aptitude, inclination, εἰς φιλανθρωπίαν[Refs 1st c.BC+]
__II Stoic term for repulsion (opposed to ὁρμή), [Refs 3rd c.BC+]
__III release of water from sluice, [Refs 4th c.AD+]