ὡσπερεί
hōspereí
G5619 subordinating conjunction
SILEX Entry
Definition
An emphatic comparative particle meaning 'as if,' 'just as if,' or 'as though'; introduces a comparison, often hypothetical or illustrative, making the similarity more pointed or explicit than a simple 'as' (ὡς or ὥσπερ). Semantic range includes establishing analogy, comparison, or manner, with a nuance of conditional or hypothetical force.
Semantic Range
just as if, as though, as it were, as if, as, in the manner of (hypothetically)
Root / Etymology
Compound from ὥσπερ ('just as') and εἰ ('if'). The first element, ὥσπερ, intensifies the comparison already present in ὡς ('as, like'). The addition of εἰ ('if') introduces a hypothetical or conditional aspect to the comparison. Thus, ὡσπερεί uniquely combines emphatic comparison with a sense of hypothetical or potential similarity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὡσπερεί is rare and occurs almost exclusively in later Greek, especially in Hellenistic and Koine literature; not found in classical Attic prose. In the New Testament, it is used to introduce hypothetical or illustrative comparisons, where the intention is to stress that something appears or acts as if in a certain way without asserting identity. Standard translations often render it simply as 'as' or 'as if,' but may lose the full comparative and hypothetical nuance in English. It is more emphatic than ὡς ('as') and ὥσπερ ('just as'), highlighting both resemblance and conditionality. Not common in the Septuagint; more a feature of later Greek style.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὥσπερ and εἰ; just as if, i.e. as it were:--as.
Root Family
ὡσπερεί (hōsperei) — to compare, to resemble, to hypothesize
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5619-01 |
ὡσπερεὶ | osperei | CONJ.S |
as if | just as if | just as if | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5619-01 |
1 Corinthians 15:8 | ὡσπερεὶ | osperei | CONJ.S |
as if | just as if | just as if |