ὡς (hōs)
hōs
as/when
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 454 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word hōs is a versatile adverb and conjunction that primarily means "as," "like," or "just as." It functions as the adverbial form of the relative pronoun, allowing writers to describe how something happens or to draw comparisons between two things. In the New Testament, it appears nearly 488 times, showing up frequently in the Gospels and Acts to connect actions with their manner or context.
Its meaning shifts depending on what follows it. When used before numerals, it indicates approximation, translating to "about" or "nearly," as seen when Mark notes there were about two thousand swine (Mark 5:13). Before adjectives or adverbs, it conveys intensity, meaning "how," such as in Paul’s exclamation of wonder in Romans 11:33. It also serves a temporal role, linking events with "when" or "while," like the moment Peter denied Jesus (Mark 14:72).
Translators often struggle with hōs because it carries so much weight in a single syllable. It can express purpose ("in order that") as in Luke 9:52, or simply describe a state of being. This flexibility makes it one of the most common connective words in Greek, acting as the glue that holds together descriptions of manner, time, and degree 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 hōs acts as a bridge in Scripture, connecting our daily lives to God’s character and commands. It often introduces comparisons that help us understand how we should live. When Jesus speaks of loving others, He uses this word to set a clear standard: love your neighbor as yourself. This is not a distant ideal but a practical guide for relationships.
It also appears in moments of deep trust. In Matthew 8, Jesus tells the centurion that his servant will be healed just as he believed. Here, hōs links our faith to God’s power. It reminds us that our response to God matters. We are invited to approach Him with confidence, knowing He hears and acts according to His will.
Finally, this word points to a future hope. Jesus says the righteous will shine as bright as the sun in His kingdom. This comparison offers comfort during hard times. It assures us that our current struggles are temporary, and God’s glory is permanent. We can rest in the promise that He is making all things new.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 454 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- as288×
- like68×
- When29×
- how19×
- As19×
- about18×
- when12×
- as if6×
- [something] like5×
- While5×
- just as3×
- even as3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὡς494×
- Ὡς19×
- ὥς2×
- ὡς,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:48
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
This verse uses the word to define Christian maturity by comparing believers to God's own perfect nature.
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Matthew 6:10
Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Here it connects earthly prayer with heavenly reality, showing how God's will is meant to be reflected on earth.
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Matthew 8:13
Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that hour.
Jesus uses this term to confirm that the centurion's faith directly resulted in his servant's healing.
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Matthew 22:39
A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
It establishes the measure for loving others by comparing it to the natural care one has for oneself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word hōs mean?
How is hōs different from other Greek words for 'like'?
Where does this word appear most often?
Does hōs always mean 'exactly like'?
Every Occurrence (454 verses across 26 books)
Matthew 34 verses
Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;
Matthew 5:48Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 6:5“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the…
Matthew 6:10Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:12Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:16“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be…
Matthew 6:29yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.
Matthew 7:29for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.
Matthew 8:13Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that…
Matthew 10:16“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Matthew 10:25It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the…
Matthew 12:13Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other.
Matthew 13:43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 14:5When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Matthew 15:28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was…
Matthew 17:2He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
Matthew 17:20He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard…
Matthew 18:3and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the…
Matthew 18:4Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 18:33Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’
Matthew 19:19‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 20:14Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.
Matthew 21:26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”
Matthew 22:30For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven.
Matthew 22:39A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 24:38For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until…
Matthew 26:19The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.
Matthew 26:39He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away…
Matthew 26:55In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I…
Matthew 27:65Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can.”
Matthew 28:3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
Matthew 28:4For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.
Matthew 28:9As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and…
Matthew 28:15So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until…