Omicron (Ο/ο) – New Testament Greek words that start with omicron

• Old Testament Hebrew
• New Testament Greek

Quick reference

Greek Name:

ὂ μικρόν

English Name:

omicron

Pronunciation:

ŏ’ mē-krŏn’

Upper-case Letter:

Ο

Lower-case Letter:

ο

Speech Sound:

vowel (short)

Numerical Value:

70

Pronunciation guide

The letter Omicron originated from the Phoenician letter ‘Ayin, which likely was a voiced pharyngeal fricative not present in Greek. Thus, the Greeks repurposed it as a vowel.

In Koine Greek, the letter Omicron is pronounced as a short “o” sound, akin to the “o” in “top.” This sound is more closed and brief compared to Omega, which has the long “o” sound in words like “bone.”

Numerical significance

Omicron corresponds to the number seventy (70) in the Greek numerical system (isopsephy). The number seventy doesn't have a particular symbolic significance in ancient Greek culture; however, it can be viewed as a significant quantity, often used to denote a considerable amount or multitude (e.g., forgiving others 70x7 times).

Cultural and symbolic meaning

The shape of Omicron, a simple circle, can be seen as symbolizing unity, wholeness, and continuity.