ὁμοιόω (homoioō)
homoioō
to liken
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb homoioō means to make something similar or to draw a comparison between two things. It appears fifteen times in the New Testament, often introducing parables where Jesus uses familiar scenes to explain spiritual truths. For instance, he compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed (Matthew 13:31) and to yeast (Luke 13:20), using ordinary agricultural details to illustrate invisible divine realities.
Its meaning ranges from simple likeness to active illustration. In Matthew 6:8, it describes how God is already like a caring father who knows our needs before we ask, emphasizing His nature rather than just an action. Conversely, in Matthew 7:24, it describes the wise person whose life becomes like a house built on rock, showing that true understanding results in stability.
This word relies on the root homoios, meaning "similar" or "alike." It does not imply identity but rather resemblance in key aspects. Translators often render it as "liken" or "compare," which captures its function of bridging the known and the unknown. By using these comparisons, the text invites readers to see deeper patterns in everyday life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word homoioō invites us to see the familiar as a window into the divine. Jesus used it often, comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to everyday things like seeds or houses. These comparisons do not demand that we treat a parable as a literal historical record. Instead, they help us grasp spiritual truths through scenes we already understand.
This word reminds us that God’s reality is close to our own experience. In Matthew 6:8, for example, the text likens God to a Father who knows our needs before we speak. This image shows that the divine is not distant or unknown. It is attentive and present in the details of daily life.
When we read these passages, we are invited to look for patterns in our own routines. The stability of a wise life is compared to a house built on rock in Matthew 7:24. Such images encourage us to find strength in what endures. They offer a gentle way to connect ordinary moments with lasting faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will I liken3×
- Has become like2×
- will be likened1×
- will I compare1×
- we have been made.1×
- to be made like,1×
- shall we liken1×
- may be like1×
- he will be likened1×
- he will be like1×
- having become like1×
- has become like1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὁμοιώσω4×
- ὡμοιώθη3×
- ὁμοιωθήσεται3×
- ὡμοιώθημεν.¶1×
- ὁμοιώσωμεν1×
- ὁμοιωθῆτε1×
- ὁμοιωθῆναι,1×
- ὁμοιωθέντες1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 6:8
Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.
This occurrence uses the word to describe God's nature as a caring Father who anticipates needs, emphasizing intimacy rather than mere action.
-
Matthew 7:24
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Here the term illustrates the practical result of obedience by comparing a wise person to someone whose house withstands storms because it is built on solid ground.
-
Mark 4:30
He said, “How will we liken God’s Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it?
This verse highlights the word's function in introducing parables, specifically asking how to describe the Kingdom of God through a relatable comparison.
-
Hebrews 2:17
Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
In this context, the term describes Christ's identification with humanity, showing that his likeness to us was necessary for him to serve as a merciful high priest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does homoioō mean in the New Testament?
Does this word imply that two things are identical?
How is this word different from other Greek words for comparison?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (15 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 8 verses
Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.
Matthew 7:24“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on…
Matthew 7:26Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
Matthew 11:16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their…
Matthew 13:24He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field,
Matthew 18:23Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
Matthew 22:2“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a wedding feast for his son,
Matthew 25:1“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.