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.)
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!