Omicron – it is the word that everyone now has in their vocabulary. It represents a new strain of the current virus, and many people are afraid of it. But, what is “omicron”? Where does the word come from? What does it mean? What is the difference between “omicron” and “omega”? What could that mean for us? Could it give us some encouragement? Let us take a look and see.
The “omicron” is the fifteenth letter of the Greek alphabet. Like “omega” it makes the “O” sound but it is a short “O” while “omega” is a long “O,” although the difference in pronunciation has largely been lost in modern times. Literally, the word “omicron” means “small o”
When omicron is written out in Greek, it consists of two parts “o” and “micron.” The “micron” part means small or little. Several English words are derived from “micron.” For example, a microscope is used to see very small things. A microbe is an organism so small we cannot even see it with our naked eyes. A microscope is required to view a microbe. Some examples of microbes would include bacteria, viruses, some types of fungi, and protozoa. Some microbes or microorganisms can be beneficial to us, while others can cause us disease and illness.
Now we look at “omega.” “Omega” is the last letter in the Greek alphabet. From this Greek letter, we get our English “mega” which means large, great, huge. We use the prefix “mega” in many ways. Some examples would include megadose, megaphone, megahertz, mega church, mega-retailer, and so on. When we hear “mega” we think of something very big or great. In Greek, the word “omega” literally means “big O.”
How are these Greek letters used in the New Testament, and what encouragement could we glean from them?
The adjective form of “micron” or “micros” appears 46 times in the New Testament. One of these times “micron” appears is in Luke 12:32, which says, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Jesus loves us, His little flock. We are weak, but He is strong. We need His tender care as the Good Shepherd. Jesus will take care of us and keep us because it is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. We may be little, but we are precious in His sight.
The word “mega” appears 243 times in the New Testament. Jesus describes Himself as the Alpha and Omega. Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last. In Revelation 1:8, Jesus says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” This shows us that Jesus was there at the beginning, He will be there at the end, He is eternal (always was, still is, and always will be) and He is Almighty. In Revelation 1:11, Jesus said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.”
Jesus is very big and great. There is nothing and no one bigger or greater than Jesus. So next time you are afraid of “omicron,” whether it be the virus, or any other “omicrons” that come along in life, remember, you have Omega at your side. You are part of the little flock, that is precious in the site of the Almighty, big, and great Jesus!
Sources that were helpful with information:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279387/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCWZpjHt8Zc