Lexical Summary hós: as, like, when, while, since, because Original Word: ὡς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance as, that about, howProbably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner (very variously used, as follows) -- about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed. see GREEK hos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from hos, Definition as, like as, even as, when, since, as long as NASB Translation about (20), according (2), affected (1), after (2), appear* (1), appeared (1), effect (1), how (20), however* (1), if (10), just (6), just like (1), like (106), like* (1), namely (1), one (2), same way (1), seeing (1), since (2), size (1), so (3), so* (1), though (15), way (1), when (53), whenever* (1), where (1), while (10). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5613: ὡςὡς (Treg. (by mistake) in Matthew 24:38 ὡς; cf. Winers Grammar, 462 (431); Chandler § 934, and references in Ebeling, Lex. Homer, under the word, p. 494b bottom), an adverbial form of the relative pronoun ὅς, ἡ, ὁ which is used in comparison, as, like as, even as, according as, in the same manner as, etc. (German wie); but it also assumes the nature of a conjunction, of time, of purpose, and of consequence. On its use in the Greek writings cf. Klotz ad Devar. 2:2, chapter xxxv., p. 756ff; (Liddell and Scott, under the word). I. ὡς as an adverb of comparison; 1. It answers to some demonstrative word (οὕτως, or the like), either in the same clause or in another member of the same sentence (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 53, 5): οὕτως ... ὡς, John 7:46 (L WH omit; Tr brackets ὡς etc.); 1 Corinthians 3:15; 1 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Corinthians 9:26; Ephesians 5:28, 33; James 2:12; οὕτως ... ὡς ἐάν (T Tr WH omit ἐάν (cf. English as should a man cast etc.)) ... βάλῃ, so etc. ... as if etc. Mark 4:26; ὡς ... οὕτως, Acts 8:32; Acts 23:11; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 2 Corinthians 11:3 (R G); 1 Thessalonians 5:2; ὡς ἄν (ἐάν) followed by subjunctive ((cf. ἄν, II. 2 a. at the end)) ... οὕτως, 1 Thessalonians 2:7f; ὡς ... οὕτω καί, Romans 5:15 (here WH brackets καί),18; 2 Corinthians 1:7 L T Tr WH; 2. ὡς with the word or words forming the comparison is so subjoined to a preceding verb that οὕτως must be mentally inserted before the same. When thus used ὡς refers a. to the manner (`form') of the action expressed by the finite verb, and is equivalent to in the same manner as, after the fashion of; it is joined in this way to the subject (nominative) of the verb: Matthew 6:29; Matthew 7:29; Matthew 13:43; 1 Thessalonians 2:11; 2 Peter 2:12; Jude 1:10, etc.; to an accusative governed by the verb: as ἀγαπᾶν τόν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν, Matthew 19:19; Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31, 33; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8; add, Philemon 1:17; Galatians 4:14; (here many (cf. R. V. marginal reading) would bring in also Acts 3:22; Acts 7:37 (cf. c. below)); or to another oblique case: as Philippians 2:22; to a substantive, with a preposition: as ὡς ἐν κρύπτω, John 7:10 (Tdf. omits ὡς); ὡς ἐν ἡμέρα σφαγῆς, James 5:5 (R G; others omit ὡς); ὡς διά ξηρᾶς, Hebrews 11:29; add, Matthew 26:55; Mark 14:48; Luke 22:52; Romans 13:13; Hebrews 3:8; when joined to a nominative or an accusative it can be rendered like, (like) as (Latininstar, veluti): Matthew 10:16; Luke 21:35; Luke 22:31; 1 Corinthians 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:4; 2 Timothy 2:17; James 1:10; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 3:10; καλεῖν τά μή ὄντα ὡς ὄντα (see καλέω, 1 b. β. under the end), Romans 4:17. b. ὡς joined to a verb makes reference to the 'substance' of the act expressed by the verb, i. e. the action designated by the verb is itself said to be done ὡς, in like manner (just) as, something else: John 15:6 (for τό βάλλεσθαι ἔξω is itself the very thing which is declared to happen (i. e. the unfruitful disciple is 'cast forth' just as the severed branch is 'cast forth')); 2 Corinthians 3:1 (Lachmann ὡς (περ)); generally, however, the phrase ὡς καί is employed (Winer's Grammar, § 53, 5), 1 Corinthians 9:5; 1 Corinthians 16:10 (here WH text omits καί); Ephesians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (L T Tr WH omit καί); 2 Timothy 3:9; Hebrews 3:2; 2 Peter 3:16. c. ὡς makes reference to similarity or equality, in such expressions as εἶναι ὡς τινα, i. e. 'to be like' or 'equal to' one, Matthew 22:30; Matthew 28:3; Mark 6:34; Mark 12:25; Luke 6:40; Luke 11:44; Luke 18:11; Luke 22:26; Romans 9:27; 1 Corinthians 7:7, 29-31; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Peter 1:24; 2 Peter 3:8; ἵνα μή ὡς κατ' ἀνάγκην τό ἀγαθο σου ἤ, that thy benefaction may not be like something extorted by force, Philemon 1:14; γίνεσθαι ὡς τινα, Matthew 10:25; Matthew 18:3; Luke 22:26; Romans 9:29; 1 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 (in 9:22 T Tr WH omit; L Tr marginal reading brackets ὡς); Galatians 4:12; μένειν ὡς τινα, 1 Corinthians 7:8; ποιεῖν τινα ὡς τινα, Luke 15:19; passages in which ἐστιν, ἦν, ὤν (or ὁ ὤν) is left to be supplied by the reader: as ἡ φωνή αὐτοῦ ὡς φωνή ὑδατον, Revelation 1:15; ὀφθαλμούς, namely, ὄντας, Revelation 2:18; πίστιν namely, οὖσαν, Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:6; add, Revelation 4:7; Revelation 9:2, 5, 7-9, 17; Revelation 10:1; Revelation 12:15; Revelation 13:2; Revelation 14:2; Revelation 20:8; Revelation 21:21; Acts 3:22; Acts 7:37 (many (cf. R. V. marginal reading) refer these last two passages to a. above); d. ὡς so makes reference to the quality of a person, thing, or action, as to be equivalent to such as, exactly like, as it were. German als; and α. to a quality which really belongs to the person or thing: ὡς ἐξουσίαν ἔχων, Matthew 7:29; Mark 1:22; ὡς μονογενοῦς παρά πατρός, John 1:14; add ((L T Tr WH in Matthew 5:48; Matthew 6:5, 16)); Acts 17:22; Romans 6:13 (here L T Tr WH ὡσεί); 3. ὡς with the genitive absolute presents the matter spoken of — either as the belief of the writer, 2 Corinthians 5:20; 2 Peter 1:3; or as someone's erroneous opinion: 1 Corinthians 4:18; 1 Peter 4:12; cf. Winers Grammar, § 65, 9; (Buttmann, § 145, 7; especially § 144, 22). In general, by the use of ὡς the matter spoken of is presented — either as a mere matter of opinion: as in ὡς ἐξ ἔργων namely, ὁ Ἰσραήλ νόμον δικαιοσύνης ἐδίωξεν, Romans 9:32 (where it marks the imaginary character of the help the Israelites relied on, they thought to attain righteousness in that way (A. V. as it were by works)); — or as a purpose: πορεύεσθαι ὡς ἐπί θάλασσαν, that, as they intended, he might go to the sea, Acts 17:14, cf. Meyer at the passage; Winers Grammar, 617 (573f) (but L T Tr WH read ἕως, as far as to etc.); — or as merely the thought of the writer: Galatians 3:16; before ὅτι, 2 Corinthians 11:21; — or as the thought and pretence of others: also before ὅτι, 2 Thessalonians 2:2: cf. Winers Grammar, as above; (Buttmann, § 149, 3; on ὡς ὅτι in 2 Corinthians 5:19 (A. V. to wit) see Winers Grammar, and Buttmann's Grammar, at the passages cited (cf. Esther 4:14; Josephus, contra Apion 1, 11, 1 and Müller's note; Liddell and Scott, under the word, G. 2; Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word, 7)); ὡς ἄν, as if, as though, 2 Corinthians 10:9 (cf. Winers Grammar, 310 (291); but cf. Sophocles Lexicon, under the word, 1, and see ἄν, IV.). 4. ὡς has its own verb, with which it forms a complete sentence; a. ὡς with a finite verb is added by way of illustration, and is to be translated as, just as (Latinsicut, eo modo quo): Ephesians 6:20; Colossians 3:18; Colossians 4:4; 1 Peter 3:6; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 2:28 ( b. ὡς is used to present, in the form of a comparison, a motive which is urged upon one — as ἄφες ὑμῖν τά ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καί ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν (R G ἀφίεμεν) κτλ. (for which Luke 11:4 gives καί γάρ αὐτοί ἀφίομεν), Matthew 6:12 — or which actuates one, as χάριν ἔχω τῷ Θεῷ ... ὡς ἀδιαλεπτον ἔχω τήν περί σου μνείαν, 2 Timothy 1:3 (for the dear remembrance of Timothy moves Paul's gratitude to God); (cf. John 19:33 (cf. II. a. below)); in these examples ὡς has almost the force of a causal particle; cf. Klotz ad Devar. 2:2, p. 766; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, B. IV.; Winers Grammar, 448 (417)). c. ὡς adds in a rather loose way something which serves to illustrate what precedes, and is equivalent to the case is as though (R. V. it is as when): Mark 13:34, where cf. Fritzsche, p. 587; unless one prefer, with Meyer, et al., to make it an instance of anantapodoton (cf. A. V. 'For the Son of Man is as a man' etc.); see ὥσπερ, a. at the end. 5. according as: Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 3:5; Revelation 22:12. 6. ὡς, like the German wie, after verbs of reading, narrating, testifying, and the like, introduces that which is read, narrated, etc.; hence, it is commonly said to be equivalent to ὅτι (cf. Klotz ad Devar. ii. 2, p. 765); but there is this difference between the two, that ὅτι expresses the thing itself, ὡς the mode or quality of the thing (hence, usually rendered how) (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 53, 9; (Meyer on Romans 1:9; cf. Liddell and Scott, under the word, B. I.)): thus after ἀναγινώσκειν, Mark 12:26 (where T Tr WH πῶς); Luke 6:4 (here Tr WH brackets ὡς; L text reads πῶς); μνησθῆναι, Luke 24:6 (L marginal reading ὅσα); θέασθαι, Luke 23:55; Ὑπομνῆσαι, Jude 1:5 (here ὅτι (not ὡς) is the particle), 7 (others regard ὡς here as introducing a confirmatory illustration of what precedes (A. V. even as etc.); cf. Huther, or Brückner's DeWette, ad loc.); εἰδέναι, Acts 10:38; Romans 11:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:11; ἐπίστασθαί, Acts 10:28 (here many (cf. R. V. marginal reading) connect ὡς with the adjective immediately following (see 8 below)); 7. ὡς before numerals denotes nearly, about: as, ὡς δισχίλιοι, Mark 5:13; add, Mark 8:9; Luke 2:37 (here L T Tr WH ἕως); 8. ὡς is prefixed to adjectives and adverbs, and corresponds to the Latinquam, how, German wie (so from Homer down): ὡς ὡραῖοι, Romans 10:15; add, Romans 11:33; ὡς ὁσίως, 1 Thessalonians 2:10 (Psalm 72:1 II. ὡς as a particle of time; a. as, when, since; Latinut, cum, (Winer's Grammar, § 41 b. 3,1; § 53, 8): with the indicative, ὡς δέ ἐπορεύοντο, Matthew 28:8 (9); Mark 9:21 (Tr marginal reading ἐξ οὗ); Luke 1:23, 41, 44; Luke 2:15, 39; Luke 4:25; Luke 5:4; Luke 7:12; Luke 11:1; Luke 15:25; Luke 19:5, 29; Luke 22:66; Luke 23:26; Luke 24:32; John 2:9, 23; John 4:1, 40,( b. while, when (Latindum, quando): Luke 20:37; as long as, while, John ( c. ὡς ἄν, as soon as: with the subjunctive present Romans 15:24 (A. V. here whensoever); with the 2 aorist subjunctive having the force of the future perfect, 1 Corinthians 11:34 (R. V. whensoever); Philippians 2:23. (Cf. Buttmann, 232 (200); Winers Grammar, § 42, 5 a.; Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word 6.). III. ὡς as a final particle (Latinut), in order that, in order to (cf. Glidersleeve in American Journ. of Philol. No. 16, p. 419f): followed by an infinitive ((cf. Buttmann, 244 (210); Winers Grammar, 318 (299); Krüger, § 65, 3, 4), Luke 9:52 L marginal reading WH); Acts 20:24 (3Macc. 1:2; 4 Macc. 14:1); ὡς ἔπος εἰπεῖν, so to say (see εἶπον, 1 a.), Hebrews 7:9 (L marginal reading εἶπεν). IV. ὡς as a consecutive particle, introducing a consequence, so that: so (according to the less frequent usage) with the indicative (Herodotus 1, 163; 2, 135; Winer's Grammar, 462 (431)), Hebrews 3:11; Hebrews 4:3 (Hebrew אֲשֶׁר, Psalm 94:11 The particle ὡς most often marks analogy or likeness, inviting readers to discern spiritual truth through comparison. Jesus employs it repeatedly in parables: “The kingdom of heaven is like (ὡς) a mustard seed” (Matthew 13:31), or “as (ὡς) a man who went on a journey” (Mark 13:34). Such usage calls disciples to move from the known to the unknown, from everyday scenes to eternal realities. Likewise, Paul presents the Church’s ministers “as (ὡς) servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1), framing ministry identity by analogy to household management. Approximation and Hyperbole ὡς can signal an estimate rather than an exact count: “about (ὡς) five thousand men” (Mark 8:9). It can also introduce vivid hyperbole: after Christ’s resurrection “his appearance was like (ὡς) lightning” (Matthew 28:3). These expressions heighten narrative force without undermining factual accuracy; the comparison clarifies that the inspired authors describe realities beyond ordinary categories. Temporal Usage Several passages set events in relation to time: “And it happened that while he blessed him, he returned home, after the days of his service were completed” (Luke 1:23, lit. “as the days were fulfilled”). Such turns of phrase present sequence, highlighting God’s providential timing within salvation history. Causal and Purpose Nuances The conjunction sometimes introduces motive or result. Peter explains that Christ died “so that (ὡς) He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Here ὡς bridges action to purpose, underscoring redemptive intent embedded in every facet of the Passion narrative. Christological Insights Comparisons framed by ὡς illuminate the mystery of the Incarnation. John testifies, “We beheld His glory, glory as (ὡς) of the only begotten from the Father” (John 1:14). The term guards both likeness and uniqueness: Jesus’ glory is comparable to, yet distinct from, any earthly glory. In Revelation, apocalyptic visions employ ὡς to safeguard transcendence: His voice roars “like (ὡς) many waters” (Revelation 1:15). The comparisons protect readers from collapsing heavenly realities into mere earthly equivalents while confirming their concrete certainty. Ethical and Pastoral Applications New-covenant ethics frequently hinge on ὡς. Husbands are to love their wives “as (ὡς) their own bodies” (Ephesians 5:28). Believers are called to “receive one another, just as (ὡς) Christ also received you” (Romans 15:7). Such parallels root moral exhortation in divine precedent; imitation flows from redemption. Pastoral counsel likewise uses familial analogies: Paul cared for the Thessalonians “as (ὡς) a nursing mother” and exhorted them “as (ὡς) a father” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-11), modeling holistic ministry. Eschatological Pictures End-time imagery brims with ὡς: the day of the Lord will come “like (ὡς) a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2); stars fall “like (ὡς) unripe figs” (Revelation 6:13). These similes evoke suddenness and cosmic upheaval, urging watchfulness and hope. Implications for Biblical Interpretation Because ὡς flexibly signals likeness, degree, purpose, or estimation, careful context-reading is essential. Neglect may blur genre distinctions, as when metaphor (Revelation 9:7 “shapes like horses”) is mistaken for literal zoology. Conversely, ignoring ὡς in ethical texts can empty imperatives of their Christ-centered foundation. Sound exegesis therefore attends to each nuance, maintaining both the unity and diversity of Scriptural witness. Historical and Ministry Significance Early Greek-speaking believers would immediately recognize ὡς as a versatile connective. Its prominence (over five hundred New Testament occurrences) reveals a Spirit-guided strategy: anchoring divine revelation in everyday speech patterns so that truth travels readily across cultures. For preachers, the particle models effective communication—rooting doctrine in illustration, admonition in analogy, and future hope in present experience. Catechists have long drawn on its similes to teach children (mustard seed faith), instruct converts (like newborn infants, 1 Peter 2:2), and comfort the persecuted (shining “like the sun,” Matthew 13:43). Every ὡς invites the Church to contemplate what earthly reality best mirrors heavenly grace, and then to embody that grace in the world. Key Representative Passages Matthew 6:10 “Your will be done on earth as (ὡς) it is in heaven.” Luke 10:3 “Go; behold, I am sending you out like (ὡς) lambs among wolves.” John 11:33 “He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled, and He asked, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They told Him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus wept.” (sense: moved “as” one sharing their grief). Romans 12:3 “I say to every one of you not to think of himself more highly than he ought, but to think with sober judgment, as (ὡς) God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” 2 Corinthians 6:9-10 “as (ὡς) unknown yet well-known; as (ὡς) dying and yet we live… as (ὡς) having nothing and yet possessing everything.” 1 Peter 5:8 “Your adversary the devil prowls around like (ὡς) a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Revelation 4:6 “Around the throne, on each side, were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind. The first creature was like (ὡς) a lion, the second was like (ὡς) an ox, the third had a face like (ὡς) a man, and the fourth was like (ὡς) a flying eagle.” Through these and hundreds of other uses, ὡς trains readers to see correspondence between the visible and the invisible, urging faith that perceives the greater reality to which every comparison points. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 1:24 AdvGRK: ὕπνου ἐποίησεν ὡς προσέταξεν αὐτῷ KJV: sleep did as the angel of the Lord INT: sleep did as had commanded him Matthew 5:48 Adv Matthew 6:5 Adv Matthew 6:10 Adv Matthew 6:12 Adv Matthew 6:16 Adv Matthew 6:29 Adv Matthew 7:29 Adv Matthew 7:29 Adv Matthew 8:13 Adv Matthew 10:16 Adv Matthew 10:16 Adv Matthew 10:16 Adv Matthew 10:25 Adv Matthew 10:25 Adv Matthew 12:13 Adv Matthew 13:43 Adv Matthew 14:5 Adv Matthew 15:28 Adv Matthew 17:2 Adv Matthew 17:2 Adv Matthew 17:20 Adv Matthew 18:3 Adv Matthew 18:4 Adv Matthew 18:33 Adv |
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