ὅσος (hosos)
hosos
just as/how much
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 100 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word hosos functions as a correlating adjective meaning "as much as," "as many as," or "how great." It establishes a relationship between quantity or degree and a specific standard, acting as the counterpart to tosouos ("so much"). In the New Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from counting crowds to describing the extent of Jesus’ healing power, such as when Mark notes that all who touched him were made well (Mark 5:28; 6:56).
Its usage is highly flexible, adapting to number, space, and time. Translators often render it with phrases like "as many as" in Acts 4:34 or "whatever" in Matthew 18:18, depending on whether the context emphasizes a countable group or an indefinite scope. The sources highlight its use in comparative structures, such as Hebrews 3:3, where it helps articulate that Jesus was worthy of more glory than Moses, illustrating how the word measures spiritual weight against historical precedent.
Etymologically, hosos is linked to the demonstrative root found in G3739, suggesting a focus on pointing out or indicating extent. This grammatical feature allows it to serve as a bridge between concrete numbers and abstract degrees of influence. By anchoring descriptions in measurable reality, the word helps readers grasp the tangible impact of biblical events, from the size of a crowd to the duration of a covenant.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hosos helps us understand the full scope of God’s care. It often translates as "as many as" or "whatever," showing that Jesus’ reach extends to every person without exception. In Mark 6:56, we see that anyone who touched even the fringe of His garment was made well. This suggests that no one is too distant or insignificant for His healing power.
When Jesus speaks in Matthew 18 about binding and loosing on earth, He uses this word to define the authority given to believers. It reminds us that our actions in faith have real weight in heaven. The word bridges the gap between our small efforts and God’s vast kingdom plans.
This grammatical tool invites you to trust in the completeness of Christ’s work. Whether dealing with personal struggles or community decisions, you can rely on the fact that His grace covers all who come to Him. There is no limit to how much He loves and sustains those who seek Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 100 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- as much as44×
- as many as25×
- how much12×
- As many as9×
- whatever6×
- as long as3×
- As much as3×
- long as2×
- while,1×
- very1×
- so much as1×
- how many1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὅσα57×
- ὅσοι27×
- ὅσον16×
- ὅσῳ3×
- ὅσους3×
- Ὅσοι2×
- ὅσων1×
- ὅσον,1×
- ὅσαι1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 6:56
Wherever he entered—into villages, or into cities, or into the country—they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.
This verse uses the word to emphasize that every single person who touched Jesus received healing, highlighting the universal extent of His power.
-
Matthew 18:18
Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven.
Here the word defines the scope of spiritual authority, linking earthly decisions directly to heavenly reality for all matters believers address.
-
Mark 3:10
For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him.
The phrase indicates that the crowd’s need was so great that everyone with a disease pressed forward, showing the overwhelming demand for His mercy.
-
Matthew 7:12
Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
It establishes the comprehensive standard for ethical behavior, covering every possible interaction with others in the Golden Rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word hosos mean?
How is hosos different from hoti?
Why is this word important for understanding Jesus' ministry?
Where else does this word appear in the New Testament?
Every Occurrence (100 verses across 17 books)
Matthew 14 verses
Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 9:15Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will…
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 14:36and they begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.
Matthew 17:12but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to.…
Matthew 18:18Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you…
Matthew 18:25But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and…
Matthew 21:22All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Matthew 22:9Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the wedding feast.’
Matthew 23:3All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and…
Matthew 25:40“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,…
Matthew 25:45“Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these,…
Matthew 28:20teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”…