Definition
ὄφελον 2 aorist of ὀφείλω, without the augment (see M, Pr., 201n), used to express a fruitless wish;
[in LXX (with aor. indic.): Exodus 16:3 (נָתַן מִי), Numbers 14:2, Numbers 20:3 (לוּא), Psalm 119:5 (אַחֲלַי), etc. ;]
in cl. with an infin. (chiefly poët.),
would that: with indic. aor., 1 Corinthians 4:8; impf., 2 Corinthians 11:1, Revelation 3:15; fut., Galatians 5:12 (a practicable wish, see 131., 206 f., 220. The construction with indic. is only found in late writers.)
Hebrew words it translates
The Hebrew words that the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament renders as ὄφελον:
Usage patterns
Occurrences
4 total
- 1 Corinthians 4:8ὄφελόν · How I wishAlready you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!
- 2 Corinthians 11:1Ὄφελον · I hopeI hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness, but you are already doing that.
- Galatians 5:12Ὄφελον · I wishAs for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!
- Revelation 3:15ὄφελον · [How] I wishI know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other!