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ὁμοίωμα

homoíōma

G3667 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An object or quality that bears a resemblance to something else; likeness or form. In specific contexts, it refers to an image, representation, or figure embodying the appearance or characteristics of another entity, without necessarily implying identity or substance. The semantic range also includes the idea of something made in the image or pattern of something else, a figure resembling the real thing, or a symbolic imitation.

Semantic Range

likeness, resemblance, image, form, figure, representation, symbolic imitation

Root / Etymology

From the verb ὁμοιόω (to make like, to liken) and ultimately related to ὅμοιος (like, similar).

Historical & Contextual Notes

ὁμοίωμα appears in both the Septuagint (LXX) and the New Testament. In classical Greek it was used occasionally to refer to a likeness, resemblance, or that which resembles something, often in an artistic or representational context. In the LXX, especially in passages concerning prohibition of idols (e.g., Exodus 20:4), it denotes an image or representation of something in heaven or on earth. In the New Testament, it is used for the 'likeness' or 'form' of human beings (Romans 8:3, Philippians 2:7) and sometimes in reference to things made to resemble something else (Romans 1:23). Standard translations like 'likeness' or 'form' capture some but not all nuances: the term may suggest resemblance without necessarily indicating full equivalence or identity. The idea of 'similitude' implies not an exact copy but something sharing certain attributes or appearance. There is an important distinction between ὁμοίωμα (emphasizing resemblance or image) and εἰκών (image, representation), with the former focusing on similarity and the latter on representation or manifestation. In Hellenistic, Jewish, and early Christian contexts, its use often connects to debates around images, forms, and representations (especially in relation to idolatry or the incarnation).

Translation Consistency

primary "likeness" 6 occurrences

'Likeness' is the most common and natural English rendering in the data (5 of 6 occurrences) and comfortably covers the semantic range (image, form, representation, resemblance). It reads naturally across contexts and can be inflected to plural or determined forms as needed.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὁμοιόω; a form; abstractly, resemblance:--made like to, likeness, shape, similitude.

Root Family

ὁμοι- (homoiázō) — to make like, to resemble, to liken

Root ὁμοι- to make like, to resemble
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G3662 ὁμοιάζω
G3665 ὁμοιότης likeness
G3668 ὁμοίως in like manner
G3945 παρομοιάζω you liken
G871 ἀφομοιόω having been fully assimilated

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3667-02 ὁμοιώματι omoiomati N DAT N SG likeness in a likeness likeness 5
G3667-01 ὁμοιώματα omoiomata N NOM N PL shapes likenesses likenesses 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3667-02 Romans 1:23 ὁμοιώματι omoiomati N DAT N SG form in a likeness likeness
G3667-02 Romans 5:14 ὁμοιώματι omoiomati N DAT N SG likeness in a likeness likeness
G3667-02 Romans 6:5 ὁμοιώματι omoiomati N DAT N SG likeness in a likeness likeness
G3667-02 Romans 8:3 ὁμοιώματι omoiomati N DAT N SG likeness in a likeness likeness
G3667-02 Philippians 2:7 ὁμοιώματι omoiomati N DAT N SG likeness in a likeness likeness
G3667-01 Revelation 9:7 ὁμοιώματα omoiomata N NOM N PL shapes likenesses likenesses
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