Lexicon
hosper: Just as, even as, as
Original Word:ὥσπερ
Part of Speech:Relative Pronoun
Transliteration:hosper
Pronunciation:HOCE-per
Phonetic Spelling:(hos'-per)
Definition:Just as, even as, as
Meaning:the very one who.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
whomsoever.
Fromhos andper; who especially -- whomsoever.
see GREEKhos
see GREEKper
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originsee
hos, and
per.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3746: ὅσπερὅσπερ,
ἤπερ,
ὅπερ, see
ὅς,
ἡ,
ὁ, 10.
Topical Lexicon
Word Origin:Derived from ὡς (hós, Strong's 5613) meaning "as" or "like," and περ (per), an emphatic particle.
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries:While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ὥσπερ, similar comparative expressions can be found in Hebrew, such as כְּ (ke, Strong's 3644), meaning "like" or "as," which serves a similar function in drawing comparisons or analogies in the Old Testament.
Usage:ὥσπερ is used in the New Testament to establish a comparison or to illustrate a point by likening one thing to another. It often introduces similes or analogies that help clarify or emphasize a teaching or principle.
Context:The Greek adverb ὥσπερ appears in the New Testament as a tool for comparison, often employed by Jesus and the apostles to elucidate spiritual truths through familiar concepts. It serves to bridge the understanding between the known and the unknown, the earthly and the heavenly. For instance, inMatthew 6:29, Jesus uses ὥσπερ to compare the splendor of Solomon to the lilies of the field: "Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these." Here, ὥσπερ highlights the surpassing beauty of God's creation over human achievements.
InRomans 5:12, Paul uses ὥσπερ to draw a parallel between the entry of sin into the world through one man and the subsequent spread of death: "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death spread to all men, because all sinned." This comparison underscores the universality of sin and its consequences, setting the stage for the redemptive work of Christ.
The use of ὥσπερ is not limited to negative comparisons; it also illustrates positive spiritual truths. InEphesians 5:25, Paul exhorts husbands to love their wives "just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." This analogy elevates the marital relationship to a reflection of Christ's sacrificial love, providing a model for Christian conduct.
Overall, ὥσπερ functions as a linguistic bridge, connecting the reader to deeper spiritual insights through relatable comparisons. Its use in the New Testament enriches the text by providing clarity and depth to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.
Forms and Transliterations
όνπερ όπερ
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
