3748. hostis, hétis, ho ti

Lexical Summary

hostis, hétis, ho ti: whoever, whatever, which, that

Original Word: ὅστις, ἥτις, ὅτι
Part of Speech: Relative Pronoun
Transliteration: hostis, hétis, ho ti
Pronunciation: ho'-stis, hay'-tis, ho'-ti
Phonetic Spelling: (hos'-tis)
KJV: X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever)
NASB: who, which, whoever, this, these, after, because
Word Origin: [from G3739 (ὅς - which) and G5100 (τίς - some)]

1. which some, i.e. any that
2. (definite) which same

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

whoever, whichever, whatever

Including the feminine hetis (hay'-tis), and the neuter ho,ti (hot'-ee) from hos and tis; which some, i.e. Any that; also (definite) which same -- X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare hoti.

see GREEK hos

see GREEK tis

see GREEK hoti

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from hos, and tis
Definition
whoever, anyone who
NASB Translation
after (1), because (1), everyone who (1), one who (1), ones who (1), these (2), these...matters which (1), this (3), what (1), whatever things (1), which (29), who (61), whoever (9), whoever* (3), yet (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3748: ὅστις

ὅστις, ἥτις, ὁ, τί (separated by a hypodiastole (comma), to distinguish it from ὅτι; but L T Tr write ὁ τί, without a hypodiastole (cf. Tdf. Prolog., p. 111), leaving a little space between ὁ and τί; (WH ὅτι); cf. Winers Grammar, 46 (45f); (Lipsius, Gramm. Untersuch., p. 118f; WH. Introductory § 411)), genitive ὁυτινος (but of the oblique cases only the accusative neuter ὁ, τί and the genitive ὅτου, in the phrase ἕως ὅτου, are found in the N. T.) (from Homer down), compound of ὅς and τίς, hence, properly, anyone who; i. e.:

1. whoever, everyone who: ὅστις simply, in the singular chiefly at the beginning of a sentence in general propositions, especially in Matt.; with an indicative present, Matthew 13:12 (twice); Mark 8:34 (where L Tr WH εἰ τίς); Luke 14:27; neuter Matthew 18:28 Rec.; with a future, Matthew 5:39 (R G Tr marginal reading), ; , etc.; James 2:10 R G; plural οἵτινες, whosoever (all those who): with indicative present, Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15; Galatians 5:4; with indicative aorist, Revelation 1:7; Revelation 2:24; Revelation 20:4; πᾶς ὅστις, with indicative present Matthew 7:24; with future Matthew 10:32; ὅστις with subjunctive (where ἄν is lacking very rarely (cf. Winers Grammar, § 42, 3 (especially at the end); Buttmann, § 139, 31)) aorist (having the force of the future perfect in Latin), Matthew 18:4 Rec.; James 2:10 L T Tr WH. ὅστις ἄν with subjunctive aorist (Latin future perfect), Matthew 10:33 (R G T); ; with subjunctive present Galatians 5:10 (ἐάν T Tr WH); neuter with subjunctive aorist, Luke 10:35; John 14:13 (Tr marginal reading WH marginal reading present subjunctive); (Tr marginal reading WH marginal reading present subjunctive); with subjunctive present, John 2:5; 1 Corinthians 16:2 (Tr WH ἐάν; WH marginal reading aorist subjunctive); ὁ ἐάν τί for ὁ, τί ἄν with subjunctive aorist Ephesians 6:8 (R G); πᾶν ὁ, τί ἄν or ἐάν with subjunctive present, Colossians 3:17, 23 (Rec.; cf. Buttmann, § 139, 19; Winer's Grammar, § 42, 3).

2. it refers to a single person or thing, but so that regard is had to a general notion or class to which this individual person or thing belongs, and thus it indicates quality: one who, such a one as, of such a nature that (cf. Kühner, § 554 Anm. 1, ii., p. 905; (Jelf, § 816, 5); Lücke on 1 John 1:2, p. 210f): ἡγούμενος, ὅστις ποιμανεῖ, Matthew 2:6; add, Matthew 7:26; Matthew 13:52; Matthew 16:28; Matthew 20:1; Matthew 25:1; Mark 15:7; Luke 2:10; Luke 7:37; Luke 8:3; John 8:25; John 21:25 (Tdf. omits the verse); Acts 11:28; Acts 16:12; Acts 24:1; Romans 11:4; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 7:13 (Tdf. εἰ τίς); Galatians 4:24, 26; Galatians 5:19; Philippians 2:20; Colossians 2:23; 2 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 2:3; Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 10:11; Hebrews 12:5; James 4:14; 1 John 1:2; Revelation 1:12; Revelation 9:4; Revelation 17:12; ὁ ναός τοῦ Θεοῦ ἅγιος ἐστιν, οἵτινες ἐστε ὑμεῖς (where οἵτινες makes reference to ἅγιος) and such are ye, 1 Corinthians 3:17 (some refer it to ναός).

3. Akin to the last usage is thai whereby it serves to give a reason, such as equivalent to seeing that he, inasmuch as he: Romans 16:12 (here Lachmann brackets the clause); Ephesians 3:13; (Colossians 3:5); Hebrews 8:6; plural, Matthew 7:15; Acts 10:47; Acts 17:11; Romans 1:25, 32; Romans 2:15; Romans 6:2; Romans 9:4; Romans 16:7; 2 Corinthians 8:10; (Philippians 4:3 (where see Lightfoot)); 1 Timothy 1:4; Titus 1:11; 1 Peter 2:11.

4. According to a later Greek usage it is put for the interrogative τίς in direct questions (cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 57; Lachmann, larger edition, vol. i., p. xliii; Buttmann, 253 (218); cf. Winer's Grammar, 167 (158)); thus in the N. T. the neuter ὁ, τί stands for τί equivalent to διά τί in Mark 2:16 T Tr WH (cf. 7 WH marginal reading); (Jeremiah 2:36; 1 Chronicles 17:6 — for which in the parallel, 2 Samuel 7:7, ἵνα τί appears; Epistle of Barnabas 7, 9 [ET] ((where see Müller); cf. Tdf. Proleg., p. 125; Evang. Nicod. pars i. A. 14:3 p. 245 and note; cf. also Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word, 4)); many interpreters bring in John 8:25 here; but respecting it see ἀρχή, 1 b.

5. It differs scarcely at all from the simple relative ὅς (cf. Matthiae, p. 1073; Buttmann, § 127, 18; (Krüger, § 51, 8; Ellicott on Galatians 4:24; cf. Jebb in Vincent and Dickson's Handbook. to Modern Greek, Appendix, § 24); but cf. C. F. A. Fritzsche in Fritzschiorum opuscc., p. 182f, who stoutly denies it): Luke 2:4; Luke 9:30; Acts 17:10; Acts 23:14; Acts 28:18; Ephesians 1:23.

6. ἕως ὅτου, on which see ἕως, II. 1 b. β., p. 268b middle

Topical Lexicon

Grammatical Profile

Strong’s Greek 3748 appears in five basic spellings—ὅστις (m-s), ἥτις (f-s), οἵτινες (m-pl), αἵτινες (f-pl), ἅτινα/ὅτινα (n-pl)—and functions as an indefinite relative pronoun. It identifies a class by its quality (“whoever is of the sort that…”) rather than merely pinpointing an individual (“who”). Because it is qualitative, it often signals a principle or timeless truth instead of a single historical fact.

Indefinite-Relative Force in Context

1. Matthew 7:24-27; 7:26. In the twin parables of house-building the Lord contrasts ὅστις ἀκούει (“whoever hears”) with ὅστις ἀκούει καὶ μὴ ποιεῖ (“whoever hears and does not do”), establishing an abiding distinction between obedient and disobedient listeners.
2. Matthew 19:29. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters… for My name’s sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” The pronoun broadens the promise to all believers who display sacrificial discipleship, not just the Twelve.
3. Luke 14:27. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.” Again the class is defined by character (self-denial), not by ethnicity or position.
4. Galatians 5:10. “The one who is troubling you” (ὅστις) leaves unnamed the false teacher, stressing the type rather than the identity.
5. James 2:10. “Whoever keeps the whole Law yet stumbles at one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” The breadth of the principle is conveyed by Ὅστις.

The Pronoun in the Teaching of Jesus

Jesus employs ὅστις especially in ethical instruction and parables (Matthew 5–7; 13; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; Luke 14–15; 19). Its usage consistently draws a line between two ways of living—wise or foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27), fruitful or barren hearers (Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15), penitent or impenitent sinners (Luke 15:7). Because the pronoun points to the inherent nature of the participant, the Lord forces the listener to examine personal character rather than external labels.

Narrative Usage

Luke’s Gospel and Acts frequently use οἵτινες/αἵτινες to identify groups whose shared trait advances the storyline:
• Luke 8:3 speaks of certain women “who were helping to support” Jesus and the Twelve—highlighting voluntary generosity.
• Acts 17:11 commends Bereans “who were more noble-minded” in their eagerness to examine the Scriptures daily.
• Acts 23:14 describes conspirators “who had bound themselves with an oath” to kill Paul, emphasizing the gravity of their plot.

Such occurrences enrich the narrative by stressing the nature of the group rather than merely listing names.

Pauline Letters: Doctrinal Weight

Paul leverages the qualitative thrust of 3748 to draw theological contrasts.
• Romans 6:2: “How can we who died to sin still live in it?” The identity of believers is grounded in a definitive break with sin.
• Galatians 2:4: “False brothers who had sneaked in” underlines the deceptive character, not just their presence.
• Ephesians 1:23 calls the Church “which is His body,” underscoring the Church’s essential relationship to Christ, not simply its institutional form.
• Philippians 3:7: the things “which were gain to me” sets up the autobiographical testimony that anything once valued is now “loss for Christ.”

Petrine and Hebrews Emphases

1 Peter 2:11 addresses believers “who are strangers and exiles,” reminding them of their pilgrim character amid a hostile world. Hebrews often pairs 3748 with sacrificial language (10:8, 10:11) to emphasize the repetitive nature of Levitical offerings in contrast to the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ.

Eschatological Attention in Revelation

John’s Apocalypse uses οἵτινες to spotlight moral identity in judgment scenes:
• Revelation 1:7: “Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him,” underlining culpability.
• Revelation 11:8 describes Jerusalem metaphorically as “the great city, which is called spiritually Sodom and Egypt,” stressing its rebellious character.
• Revelation 20:4 identifies martyrs “who had not worshiped the beast,” accenting their persevering fidelity.

Historical and Textual Observations

1. In Classical Greek ὅστις carried a conditional flavor (“whoever may be”), but by the Koine era the sense is more definite yet still qualitative.
2. English translations vary: “who,” “whoever,” “which,” or “those who.” Older versions often rendered it “whosoever,” giving the idea of an open category. Modern versions sometimes flatten it to a simple relative; careful study restores its full nuance.
3. Its presence can settle interpretive debates. In Ephesians 3:13, “my tribulations for you, which are your glory,” ἥτις shows Paul’s sufferings are the kind that paradoxically achieve glory for the Church.

Pastoral and Homiletical Significance

Because 3748 marks character, preachers may legitimately generalize its statements as abiding principles. It summons believers to self-assessment (“Am I among those who…?”), encourages assurance (promises given to all of a certain description), and warns against presumption (condemnations likewise address a class). The pronoun therefore serves discipleship by anchoring ethical exhortation in identity.

Key Theological Themes Illuminated by 3748

• Identity precedes conduct (Romans 6:2; 1 Peter 2:11).
• Universal gospel invitation balanced with character-based division (Matthew 7:24-27; John 3:16 uses πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων, but ὅστις texts sharpen what true belief looks like).
• Unity of Jew and Gentile in the Church (Ephesians 1:23; Colossians 4:11) defined by relation to Christ rather than lineage.
• Eschatological vindication for the faithful class (Revelation 20:4) and judgment on the rebellious class (Revelation 19:2).

Representative Sample of Occurrences

Matthew 25:1; 27:55; Luke 12:1; Acts 17:11; Romans 1:25, 32; 2 Corinthians 9:11; Galatians 4:24, 26; Ephesians 3:13; Colossians 3:5; 1 Timothy 6:9; Hebrews 10:8; 1 John 1:2.

Conclusion

Strong’s 3748 stands at strategic points throughout the New Testament, marking off those whose defining qualities distinguish them in salvation history. Its consistent usage underlines the Bible’s call to inward transformation and communal identity in Christ, reminding readers that divine promises and warnings alike pertain to “those who” display the corresponding character.

Forms and Transliterations

αιτινες αίτινες αἵτινες ατινα άτινα άτινά ἅτινα ἅτινά ητις ήτις ἥτις ο οιτινες οίτινες οίτινές οἵτινες οἵτινές οστις όστις ὅστις οτιούν ότου τις aitines atina etis ētis haitines haítines hatina hátina hátiná hetis hētis hḗtis hoitines hoítines hoítinés hostis hóstis oitines ostis tis

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 2:6 RelPro-NMS
GRK: ἐξελεύσεται ἡγούμενος ὅστις ποιμανεῖ τὸν
NAS: A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD
KJV: a Governor, that shall rule
INT: will go forth a leader who will shepherd the

Matthew 5:39 RelPro-NMS
GRK: πονηρῷ ἀλλ' ὅστις σε ῥαπίζει
NAS: an evil person; but whoever slaps
KJV: evil: but whosoever shall smite thee
INT: evil [person] but whoever you shall strike

Matthew 5:41 RelPro-NMS
GRK: καὶ ὅστις σε ἀγγαρεύσει
NAS: Whoever forces you to go one
KJV: And whosoever shall compel thee
INT: and whoever you will compel to go

Matthew 7:15 RelPro-NMP
GRK: τῶν ψευδοπροφητῶν οἵτινες ἔρχονται πρὸς
NAS: of the false prophets, who come
KJV: of false prophets, which come to
INT: the false prophets who come to

Matthew 7:24 RelPro-NMS
GRK: Πᾶς οὖν ὅστις ἀκούει μου
NAS: Therefore everyone who hears these
KJV: unto a wise man, which built his
INT: Every one therefore whoever hears my

Matthew 7:24 RelPro-NMS
GRK: ἀνδρὶ φρονίμῳ ὅστις ᾠκοδόμησεν αὐτοῦ
NAS: to a wise man who built his house
INT: a man wise who built his

Matthew 7:26 RelPro-NMS
GRK: ἀνδρὶ μωρῷ ὅστις ᾠκοδόμησεν αὐτοῦ
NAS: a foolish man who built his house
KJV: unto a foolish man, which built his
INT: to a man foolish who built of him

Matthew 10:32 RelPro-NMS
GRK: Πᾶς οὖν ὅστις ὁμολογήσει ἐν
NAS: everyone who confesses
INT: Every one therefore who will confess in

Matthew 10:33 RelPro-NMS
GRK: ὅστις δ' ἂν
NAS: But whoever denies Me before
KJV: But whosoever shall deny
INT: whoever moreover anyhow

Matthew 12:50 RelPro-NMS
GRK: ὅστις γὰρ ἂν
NAS: For whoever does the will
KJV: For whosoever shall do the will
INT: whoever indeed anyhow

Matthew 13:12 RelPro-NMS
GRK: ὅστις γὰρ ἔχει
NAS: For whoever has,
KJV: For whosoever hath, to him
INT: whoever indeed has

Matthew 13:12 RelPro-NMS
GRK: καὶ περισσευθήσεται ὅστις δὲ οὐκ
NAS: and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have,
KJV: but whosoever hath
INT: and he will be in abundance whoever moreover not

Matthew 13:52 RelPro-NMS
GRK: ἀνθρώπῳ οἰκοδεσπότῃ ὅστις ἐκβάλλει ἐκ
NAS: a head of a household, who brings
KJV: [that is] an householder, which bringeth forth
INT: to a man a master of a house who puts forth out of

Matthew 16:28 RelPro-NMP
GRK: ὧδε ἑστώτων οἵτινες οὐ μὴ
NAS: here who will not taste
KJV: standing here, which shall not
INT: here standing who no not

Matthew 18:4 RelPro-NMS
GRK: ὅστις οὖν ταπεινώσει
NAS: Whoever then humbles
KJV: Whosoever therefore shall humble
INT: whoever therefore will humble

Matthew 19:12 RelPro-NMP
GRK: γὰρ εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες ἐκ κοιλίας
NAS: For there are eunuchs who were born
KJV: some eunuchs, which were so
INT: indeed eunuchs who from [the] womb

Matthew 19:12 RelPro-NMP
GRK: εἰσὶν εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνουχίσθησαν ὑπὸ
NAS: and there are eunuchs who were made
KJV: some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs
INT: there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by

Matthew 19:12 RelPro-NMP
GRK: εἰσὶν εὐνοῦχοι οἵτινες εὐνούχισαν ἑαυτοὺς
NAS: and there are [also] eunuchs who made
KJV: eunuchs, which have made
INT: there are eunuchs who made eunuchs of themselves

Matthew 19:29 RelPro-NMS
GRK: καὶ πᾶς ὅστις ἀφῆκεν οἰκίας
NAS: And everyone who has left houses
INT: And every one who has left houses

Matthew 20:1 RelPro-NMS
GRK: ἀνθρώπῳ οἰκοδεσπότῃ ὅστις ἐξῆλθεν ἅμα
NAS: is like a landowner who went out early
KJV: [that is] an householder, which went out
INT: to a man a master of a house who went out in [the]

Matthew 21:33 RelPro-NMS
GRK: ἦν οἰκοδεσπότης ὅστις ἐφύτευσεν ἀμπελῶνα
NAS: There was a landowner who PLANTED
KJV: householder, which planted
INT: there was a master of a house who planted a vineyard

Matthew 21:41 RelPro-NMP
GRK: ἄλλοις γεωργοῖς οἵτινες ἀποδώσουσιν αὐτῷ
NAS: vine-growers who will pay
KJV: husbandmen, which shall render
INT: to other tenants who will give to him

Matthew 22:2 RelPro-NMS
GRK: ἀνθρώπῳ βασιλεῖ ὅστις ἐποίησεν γάμους
NAS: to a king who gave
KJV: king, which made
INT: to a man a king who made a wedding feast

Matthew 23:12 RelPro-NMS
GRK: Ὅστις δὲ ὑψώσει
NAS: Whoever exalts himself
KJV: And whosoever shall exalt himself
INT: he who moreover will exalt

Matthew 23:12 RelPro-NMS
GRK: ταπεινωθήσεται καὶ ὅστις ταπεινώσει ἑαυτὸν
NAS: shall be humbled; and whoever humbles
KJV: and he that shall humble
INT: will be humbled and whoever will humble himself

Strong's Greek 3748
140 Occurrences

αἵτινες — 10 Occ.
ἅτινα — 6 Occ.
ἥτις — 38 Occ.
οἵτινες — 60 Occ.
ὅστις — 26 Occ.