μορφ-ή G3444
form, outward shape or appearance
Form refers to the outward shape, appearance, or visible manifestation. Mark says Jesus appeared to two disciples 'in another form' after resurrection (Mark 16:12). Paul's great christological passage says Christ existed 'in the form of God' but took 'the form of a servant' (Phil 2:6, 7). The term denotes visible, recognizable shape. It's more than mere appearance (which can deceive) but less than essence—it's the genuine outward manifestation of inner reality. Spanish 'forma' and German 'Gestalt' preserve this sense of shape and configuration.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The outward form, shape, or visible manifestation that genuinely expresses inner reality. Mark 16:12 describes Jesus appearing in a different μορφή post-resurrection. Philippians 2:6-7 uses it for Christ's divine form and then his servant form—not mere appearance but true manifestation. The term sits between superficial 'appearance' and essential 'nature,' indicating the authentic outward expression of what something is. French 'forme' and German 'Gestalt' capture this visible-yet-genuine configuration. 3×
AR["صورَةَ", "صورَةِ", "هَيْئَةٍ"]·ben["রূপ", "রূপে"]·DE["Gestalt"]·EN["form"]·FR["forme"]·heb["דְּמוּת", "צוּרַת"]·HI["रुप", "रूप"]·ID["rupa"]·IT["morphe", "morphē", "morphēn"]·jav["rupa", "wujud"]·KO["모습으로", "형상"]·PT["forma"]·RU["облике", "образ", "образе"]·ES["forma"]·SW["sura", "umbo"]·TR["biçimde", "suretinde", "suretini"]·urd["صورت", "صُورت-میں", "صُورت-کو"]
Related Senses
H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H3427 1. Qal: to dwell, inhabit (937×)G1537 1. from, out of (source/origin) (886×)H8034 1. Name (designation / identifier) (856×)G3361 1. subjective negation (not) (834×)G1909 1. on, upon (spatial surface) (757×)H0369 1. existential negation: there is not (738×)H5869a 1. in the eyes/sight of (evaluative) (734×)H5650 1. Servant, attendant, subject (723×)H0408 1. prohibitive negation do-not (712×)G2443 1. so that, in order that (purpose/result) (665×)G0575 1. from (649×)G1223 1. through, by means of (582×)H3541 1. thus, so, in this manner (569×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
μορφ-ή, ἡ, form, shape, twice in Refs 8th c.BC+ thou hast comeliness of words, Refs 8th c.BC+; so probably ἄλλος μὲν.. εἶδος ἀκιδνότερος πέλει ἀνήρ, ἀλλὰ θεὸς μορφὴν ἔπεσι στέφει God adds a crown of shapeliness to his words, Refs 8th c.BC+; μορφῆς μέτρα shape and size, Refs 5th c.BC+; μορφῆς σχῆμα, τύπωμα, Refs 5th c.BC+; ὀνειράτων ἀλίγκιοι μορφαῖσινRefs 5th c.BC+; of plants, Refs 4th c.BC+;…