ὅς (hos, hē)
hos, hē
which
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1,245 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word hos serves as the primary relative pronoun in the New Testament, functioning much like "who," "which," or "that" in English. It is incredibly common, appearing in over a thousand verses, particularly in Acts and the Gospels. Its main job is to connect clauses by referring back to a noun mentioned previously, allowing sentences to flow with greater detail and precision.
While it usually acts as a simple connector, hos also carries a demonstrative force, meaning "this" or "that," especially when paired with particles like de. This dual nature allows it to highlight specific individuals or items, such as when distinguishing between two groups in Matthew 21:35 or identifying the man Jesus healed in John 5:11.
Translators must carefully choose the English equivalent based on context, as hos can refer to people, things, or even entire ideas. The sources note that it sometimes agrees with its antecedent in gender but takes the case required by its own grammatical role in the sentence. This flexibility makes it an essential tool for constructing complex theological arguments and narrative descriptions throughout the biblical text.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ὅς (hos) acts as the primary relative pronoun in the New Testament, linking ideas with precision and flow. It functions much like 'who,' 'which,' or 'that' in English, allowing the biblical authors to add necessary detail without breaking the narrative thread. In Matthew 1:16, for instance, it connects Joseph to Mary and identifies Jesus as the one called Christ, grounding the genealogy in specific historical reality.
While often simple, this word carries significant weight when distinguishing between groups or highlighting specific individuals. It helps clarify who is being addressed or described, ensuring that theological arguments remain clear. By using ὅς, the text invites readers to pay close attention to the relationships between people and God’s promises.
This grammatical tool supports a deeper understanding of Scripture by showing how closely connected we are to the stories and teachings of Jesus. It reminds us that every detail in the biblical account matters, weaving together the history of Israel and the message of salvation into a coherent whole.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1,245 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- which301×
- whom202×
- that180×
- who174×
- what85×
- to whom33×
- who[ever]32×
- of whom30×
- whatever28×
- whose26×
- Who[ever]24×
- that which21×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὃ215×
- ὃς202×
- ὃν166×
- ᾧ119×
- οὗ118×
- ἃ113×
- ἣν96×
- ὧν79×
- οὓς53×
- ἧς49×
- οἷς46×
- ὅ41×
Key Verses
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Matthew 1:16
Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
This occurrence identifies Jesus as the specific individual called Christ, linking the genealogy directly to his messianic title.
-
Matthew 3:17
Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Here it specifies that the voice from heaven refers directly to Jesus as the beloved Son, affirming his divine identity.
-
Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
The word introduces a series of conditions regarding anger and insult, clarifying who is in danger of judgment for their actions.
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Matthew 10:42
Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.”
It defines the recipient of the act as 'one of these little ones,' emphasizing the value placed on humble believers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ὅς mean in Greek?
How is ὅς different from other Greek pronouns?
Why is this word so common in the New Testament?
Every Occurrence (1,245 verses across 27 books)
Matthew 103 verses
Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Matthew 1:23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel,” which is,…
Matthew 1:25and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.
Matthew 2:9They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them until…
Matthew 2:16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male…
Matthew 3:11“I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not…
Matthew 3:12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into…
Matthew 3:17Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 5:19Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the…
Matthew 5:21“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of…
Matthew 5:22But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever…
Matthew 5:31“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’
Matthew 5:32but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and…
Matthew 6:8Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.
Matthew 7:2For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to…
Matthew 7:9Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
Matthew 8:4Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses…
Matthew 10:11Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on.
Matthew 10:14Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
Matthew 10:26Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be…
Matthew 10:27What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.
Matthew 10:38He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me isn’t worthy of me.
Matthew 10:42Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I…
Matthew 11:4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
Matthew 11:6Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”
Matthew 11:10For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before…
Matthew 11:16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their…
Matthew 11:20Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent.
Matthew 11:27All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know…
Matthew 12:2But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:4how he entered into God’s house and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were…
Matthew 12:11He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day,…
Matthew 12:18“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit on him. He…
Matthew 12:32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it…
Matthew 12:36I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Matthew 13:4As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.
Matthew 13:8Others fell on good soil and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
Matthew 13:12For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken…
Matthew 13:17For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t…
Matthew 13:23What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and…
Matthew 13:31He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took,…
Matthew 13:32which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that…
Matthew 13:33He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast which a woman took and hid in three measures of…
Matthew 13:44“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. In his joy, he goes and…
Matthew 13:46who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Matthew 13:48which, when it was filled, fishermen drew up on the beach. They sat down and gathered the good into containers, but the…
Matthew 14:7Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask.
Matthew 14:22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the…
Matthew 15:5But you say, ‘Whoever may tell his father or his mother, “Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a…
Matthew 15:13But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted.
Matthew 16:19I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven;…
Matthew 16:25For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 17:5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying,…
Matthew 17:9As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the…
Matthew 18:5Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,
Matthew 18:6but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge…
Matthew 18:7“Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person…
Matthew 18:19Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be…
Matthew 18:23Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
Matthew 18:28“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him…
Matthew 18:30He would not, but went and cast him into prison until he should pay back that which was due.
Matthew 18:34His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due to him.
Matthew 19:6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.”
Matthew 19:9I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he…
Matthew 19:11But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.
Matthew 20:4He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went their way.
Matthew 20:7“They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ “He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and you will…
Matthew 20:15Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’
Matthew 20:22But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be…
Matthew 20:23He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on…
Matthew 20:26It shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 20:27Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant,
Matthew 21:15But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in…
Matthew 21:24Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what…
Matthew 21:35The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
Matthew 21:42Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of…
Matthew 21:44He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust.”
Matthew 22:5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise;
Matthew 22:10Those servants went out into the highways and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding…
Matthew 23:16“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of…
Matthew 23:18And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated.’
Matthew 23:35that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of…
Matthew 23:37“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered…
Matthew 24:2But he answered them, “You see all of these things, don’t you? Most certainly I tell you, there will not be left here…
Matthew 24:38For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until…
Matthew 24:44Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
Matthew 24:45“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due…
Matthew 24:46Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes.
Matthew 24:50the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn’t expect it and in an hour when he doesn’t know it,
Matthew 25:13Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Matthew 25:15To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his…
Matthew 25:29For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he…
Matthew 26:13Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also…
Matthew 26:24The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would…
Matthew 26:36Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and…
Matthew 26:48Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.”
Matthew 26:50Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Matthew 27:9Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver,…
Matthew 27:15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner whom they desired.
Matthew 27:33When they came to a place called “Golgotha”, that is to say, “The place of a skull,”
Matthew 27:56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Matthew 27:57When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple, came.
Matthew 27:60and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the…