3740. hosakis
Lexical Summary
hosakis: As often as, as many times as

Original Word: ὁσάκις
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: hosakis
Pronunciation: ho-sä'-kis
Phonetic Spelling: (hos-ak'-is)
KJV: as oft(-en) as
NASB: often
Word Origin: [multiple adverb from G3739 (ὅς - which)]

1. as often as
{with G302}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
as often as.

Multiple adverb from hos; how (i.e. With an, so) many times as -- as oft(-en) as.

see GREEK hos

see GREEK an

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
adverb from hosos
Definition
as often as
NASB Translation
often (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3740: ὁσάκις

ὁσάκις (ὅσος), relative adverb, as often as; with the addition of ἄν, as often soever as, 1 Corinthians 11:25f. (R G; cf. Winers Grammar, § 42, 5a.; Buttmann, § 139, 34); also of ἐάν (L T Tr WH in 1 Corinthians, in the passage cited); Revelation 11:6. ((Lysias, Plato, others.))

Topical Lexicon
Connotation and Emphasis of ὁσάκις

The adverb introduces an open-ended time frame: every time an action is performed it carries the same weight and intent as the first. Scripture uses the term when divine purpose, covenant remembrance, or prophetic authority must remain unrestricted by a fixed schedule.

The Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11

Paul twice employs ὁσάκις while recounting Jesus’ instruction at the Last Supper (1 Corinthians 11:25-26). The phrase “as often as” guards the ordinance from both neglect and mechanical ritualism. It invites each gathering of believers, regardless of culture or century, to re-enter the Gospel event:

1 Corinthians 11:25: “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
1 Corinthians 11:26: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

Here ὁσάκις ties remembrance to proclamation. The Supper is not a mere memorial but an ongoing herald of the cross and a forward look to the Parousia. The elasticity of the word safeguards both the freedom of local assemblies to decide frequency and the obligation never to let the ordinance lapse.

Covenantal Continuity

By linking Christ’s command to the new covenant, Paul echoes Exodus 24:8 where blood ratifies covenant fellowship. Ὁσάκις draws that once-for-all event into present experience, ensuring every celebration is a fresh participation in grace. The word thus bridges historical act and continual appropriation.

Pastoral and Discipleship Applications

Because ὁσάκις conveys recurring privilege rather than legal quota, churches may observe the Supper weekly, monthly, or at other intervals, provided each occurrence remains Christ-centered. The term challenges leaders to guard against either superstition (treating the elements as talismans) or forgetfulness (allowing long gaps that dull congregational memory of the cross).

Eschatological Power in Revelation 11

In Revelation 11:6, ὁσάκις marks the unlimited scope of the two witnesses’ judgments: “They have authority over the waters … to strike the earth with every plague as often as they wish.” The same adverb that invites continual proclamation of redemption now underscores relentless prophetic warning. It portrays a God who grants His servants repeated, decisive intervention until His salvific plan is complete.

Thematic Unity Across the Canon

Whether at the communion table or within apocalyptic conflict, ὁσάκις highlights:

1. Divine initiative that transcends calendar constraints.
2. Human obedience that must remain fresh and purposeful.
3. The certainty that each repetition—of remembering, proclaiming, or judging—bears eternal significance.

Contemporary Ministry Significance

• Worship: Incorporate the Lord’s Supper frequently enough that the Gospel remains central, yet thoughtfully enough that each instance is meaningful.
• Preaching: Use the term to teach believers that ordinary acts (breaking bread) and extraordinary acts (prophetic plagues) alike manifest ongoing divine activity.
• Mission: Proclamation “until He comes” links local fellowship to global evangelism; every observance of the Supper is a missionary statement.

Thus ὁσάκις, though occurring only three times, serves as a vital thread weaving together remembrance, proclamation, judgment, and hope—reminding the Church that every repeated act ordained by God carries present power and eschatological promise.

Forms and Transliterations
οσακις οσάκις ὁσάκις hosakis hosákis osakis
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Corinthians 11:25 Adv
GRK: τοῦτο ποιεῖτε ὁσάκις ἐὰν πίνητε
NAS: this, as often as you drink
KJV: do ye, as oft as ye drink
INT: this do as often as if you might drink [it]

1 Corinthians 11:26 Adv
GRK: ὁσάκις γὰρ ἐὰν
NAS: For as often as you eat this
INT: as often as indeed if

Revelation 11:6 Adv
GRK: πάσῃ πληγῇ ὁσάκις ἐὰν θελήσωσιν
NAS: plague, as often as they desire.
KJV: plagues, as often as
INT: every plague as often as if they might will

Strong's Greek 3740
3 Occurrences


ὁσάκις — 3 Occ.

3739
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