The Greek word opṓra, represented by G3703, refers to ripe fruit. The term is derived from words related to the late summer season, implying the peak of the harvest.
The sole biblical appearance of opṓra 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.
The theological weight of opṓra 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 opṓra 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.
