The Greek word opṓra, represented by G3703, refers to ripe fruit. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, making its single usage highly specific. The term is derived from words related to the late summer season, implying the peak of the harvest and the choicest produce.
The sole biblical appearance of G3703 is in Revelation 18:14, within the context of the fall of Babylon. The verse laments the loss of worldly goods, stating, "And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee." Here, fruits symbolize the luxurious and desirable commodities that the great city once enjoyed. They are depicted as objects of intense craving, and their permanent loss signifies the totality of Babylon's judgment and collapse.
Several related words in its only context illuminate the meaning of G3703:
- G5590 psychḗ (soul): This is defined as the animal sentient principle, the "life" or "soul." In Revelation 18:14, it is the soul that longs for the fruits, indicating a deep, animating desire for these material luxuries.
- G1939 epithymía (lust after): This term describes "a longing (especially for what is forbidden)." It characterizes the desire for the fruits not as simple want, but as an intense, worldly craving that is ultimately judged.
- G3045 liparós (dainty): Meaning "sumptuous," this word is used in parallel to describe the lost goods, reinforcing the idea that these were not mere necessities but extravagant delicacies.
- G2986 lamprós (goodly): This word for "magnificent or sumptuous (in appearance)" further describes the lost items, emphasizing their splendor and outward appeal.
The theological weight of G3703 is tied entirely to its singular use in Revelation.
- Symbol of Worldly Luxury: The fruits are not presented as simple nourishment but as the pinnacle of material indulgence, sought after by a "soul" driven by "lust."
- Object of Judgment: The verse explicitly states that these fruits are "departed," and along with them "all things which were dainty and goodly" Revelation 18:14. Their removal is a key component of the divine judgment against the world system represented by Babylon.
- The Transience of Materialism: The finality of the loss—"thou shalt find them no more at all" Revelation 18:14—serves as a stark warning about the fleeting nature of wealth and the things the world desires.
In summary, while G3703 literally means ripe fruit, its biblical context gives it a powerful symbolic meaning. It represents the height of worldly luxury and sensual desire, which is shown to be transient and subject to divine judgment. Its single appearance in scripture serves as a potent illustration of the ultimate emptiness of materialism when contrasted with matters of eternal significance.
TRV