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οἷος

hoîos

G3634 relative pronoun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Relative and qualitative pronoun: of what sort, such as, of such a kind. Used to describe the nature, character, or quality of a person, thing, or action, often in a comparative or correlative construction. Depending on context, can be translated as 'such as,' 'of such kind as,' 'what sort of,' 'like,' or 'such.' Frequently appears in correlative clauses (e.g., οἷος... τοιοῦτος, 'such as... such') or in exclamatory senses ('what sort!') to indicate quality, character, or manner. In the neuter, can function adverbially to mean 'as,' 'in such a way,' or, with a negative, 'not so.'

Semantic Range

of what sort, such as, of this/that kind, as (correlationally), in such a way, what sort of (exclamatory), such, which (emphasizing quality or manner), not so (with neuter and negative)

Root / Etymology

From the pronominal root οἷ-, related to ὅς ('who, which'), ὁ ('the'), and ὅσος ('as much as, as many as'). The form οἷος combines a stem signifying likeness or quality and common pronominal endings. Exact origins of the pronominal system predate classical Greek but are securely attested.

Historical & Contextual Notes

οἷος is used throughout classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek, commonly as a relative or qualitative pronoun expressing the kind or nature of something. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, it often introduces a comparison or specifies a quality (e.g., the type of person, action, or condition being discussed). The term is not limited to a religious or ethnic context and functions grammatically rather than substantively. Its force is sometimes weakened or expanded in translation to English as 'such as' or even omitted if the construction is awkward. The form is found in expressions distinguishing category or moral quality (e.g., 'the sort of person,' 'such [a one],' or 'what sort of woman'). Compared to related terms, ὅσος emphasizes extent or quantity, while οἷος emphasizes type or quality. English translations often do not capture this nuance, particularly in idiomatic Greek correlational expressions. In some late Koine and Byzantine sources, the use of οἷος expands to more generic or colloquial contrast and exclamation. The word is not used as a noun, but can appear predicatively or attributively.

Translation Consistency

primary "such" 14 occurrences

οἷος is a relative/qualitative pronoun best rendered by the adjective/pronoun “such,” which naturally covers its primary uses (of such a kind, such as, in such a way) and fits correlative and exclamatory constructions. “Such” is the most frequent and idiomatic choice in English and will provide consistent, natural wording across all forms; rare exclamatory uses that might read “what” are still captured by contextual phrasing using “such.”

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"what kind" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably akin to ὁ, ὅς, and ὅσος; such or what sort of (as a correlation or exclamation); especially the neuter (adverbially) with negative, not so:--so (as), such as, what (manner of), which.

Root Family

οἷ- (hoîos) — of what kind, such as, such a one

Root οἷ- of what kind, such as, such a one

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3634-01 οἵα oia PRO.R NOM F SG such as such as such as 4
G3634-04 οἷον oion PRO.R NOM N SG as though such a thing such a thing 3
G3634-05 οἷος oios PRO.R NOM M SG as is such a one such as 3
G3634-03 οἷοί oioi PRO.R NOM M PL such as such as they are what kind 2
G3634-06 οἵους oious PRO.R ACC M PL such as such as (masculine plural) such as 2
G3634-02 οἵῳ oio ADJ.R DAT N SG whatever to such a kind to such a kind 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3634-01 Matthew 24:21 οἵα oia PRO.R NOM F SG such as such as such as
G3634-01 Mark 9:3 οἷα oia PRO.R NOM N PL as such as such as
G3634-01 Mark 13:19 οἵα oia PRO.R NOM F SG such as such as such as
G3634-02 John 5:4 οἵῳ oio ADJ.R DAT N SG whatever to such a kind to such a kind
G3634-04 Romans 9:6 οἷον oion PRO.R NOM N SG as though such a thing such a thing
G3634-05 1 Corinthians 15:48 οἷος oios PRO.R NOM M SG As is such a one such as
G3634-05 1 Corinthians 15:48 οἷος oios-2 PRO.R NOM M SG as is such a one such as
G3634-03 2 Corinthians 10:11 οἷοί oioi PRO.R NOM M PL such as such as they are such as they are
G3634-06 2 Corinthians 12:20 οἵους oious PRO.R ACC M PL such as such as (masculine plural) such as
G3634-04 2 Corinthians 12:20 οἷον oion PRO.R ACC M SG such as such a thing such a thing
G3634-04 Philippians 1:30 οἷον oion PRO.R ACC M SG which such a thing such a thing
G3634-03 1 Thessalonians 1:5 οἷοι oioi PRO.R NOM M PL what kind such as they are what kind
G3634-01 2 Timothy 3:11 οἷά oia PRO.R NOM N PL such as such as such as
G3634-06 2 Timothy 3:11 οἵους oious DET ACC M PL what such as (masculine plural) such as
G3634-05 Revelation 16:18 οἷος oios PRO.R NOM M SG such as such a one such as
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