Original Word: ὅμοιος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: homoios
Pronunciation: ho'-moy-os
Phonetic Spelling: (hom'-oy-os)
Definition: like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank.
Meaning: The term ὅμοιος is an adjective meaning "like," "similar," or "resembling." It is used to describe things that share common characteristics or qualities.

Word Origin: Derived from the base of ὁμός (homos), meaning "same" or "together."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Hebrew 1819: דָּמָה (damah) • to be like, resemble
• Strong's Hebrew 3644: כְּמוֹ (kemo) • like, as
• Strong's Hebrew 4911: מָשַׁל (mashal) • to be like, compare

These Hebrew terms share a similar function in the Old Testament, often used in poetic and prophetic literature to draw comparisons and convey deeper meanings through analogy.

Usage: The word ὅμοιος is used in the New Testament to draw comparisons or analogies, often in parables or teachings of Jesus, to illustrate spiritual truths by comparing them to familiar earthly concepts.

Context: The Greek word ὅμοιος appears frequently in the New Testament, particularly in the Synoptic Gospels, where it is used to convey the likeness or similarity between two entities or concepts. This term is pivotal in the teachings of Jesus, especially in His parables, where He often begins with "The kingdom of heaven is like..." (e.g., Matthew 13:31, 33, 44). These comparisons are designed to help the listener understand complex spiritual realities through familiar earthly experiences.

In Matthew 13:31 (BSB), Jesus uses ὅμοιος to compare the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed: "He put before them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field.'" Here, the small mustard seed represents the seemingly insignificant beginnings of the kingdom, which grows into something much greater.

Similarly, in Matthew 13:33 (BSB), the kingdom of heaven is likened to leaven: "He told them still another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.'" This illustrates the transformative and pervasive nature of the kingdom.

The use of ὅμοιος is not limited to parables. It also appears in other contexts, such as in the description of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:13 (BSB): "and among the lampstands was One like a son of man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest." Here, ὅμοιος is used to describe the appearance of Christ in a vision, emphasizing His divine majesty and authority.

Theologically, ὅμοιος underscores the importance of analogy in biblical teaching, allowing finite human minds to grasp infinite truths. It serves as a bridge between the known and the unknown, the earthly and the heavenly.

Word Origin
from the same as homou
Definition
like, resembling, the same as
NASB Translation
like (43), one like (2), same (1).

STRONGS NT 3664: ὅμοιος

ὅμοιος (on the accent cf. (Chandler §§ 384, 385); Winers Grammar, 52 (51); Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. § 11 Anm. 9), ὁμοία, ὅμοιον, also of two term. (once in the N. T., Revelation 4:3 Rst G L T Tr WH; cf. Winers Grammar, § 11, 1; (Buttmann, 26 (23))) (from ὁμός (akin to ἅμα (which see), Latinsimilis, English same, etc.)) (from Homer down), like, similar, resembling:

a. like i. e. resembling: τίνι, in form or look, John 9:9; Revelation 1:13, 15; Revelation 2:18; Revelation 4:6f.; (but here Tr text WH marginal reading ὁμοιοις), ; (but here T WH with the accusative (for dative)); Rec.; ὁράσει, in appearance, Revelation 4:3; in nature, Acts 17:29; Galatians 5:21; Revelation 21:11, 18; in nature and condition, 1 John 3:2; in mode of thinking, feeling, acting, Matthew 11:16; Matthew 13:52; Luke 6:47-49; Luke 7:31; Luke 12:36, and L WH Tr text (see below) in John 8:55; equivalent to may be compared to a thing, so in parables: Matthew 13:31, 33, 44f, 47; Matthew 20:1; Luke 13:18f, 21.

b. like i. e. corresponding or equivalent to, the same as: ὅμοιον τούτοις τρόπον, Jude 1:7; equal in strength, Revelation 13:4; in power and attractions, Revelation 18:18; in authority, Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31 (here T WH omit; Tr marginal reading brackets ὅμοιον); in mind and character, τίνος (cf. Winers Grammar, 195 (183) (cf. § 28, 2); Buttmann, § 132, 24), John 8:55 R G T Tr marginal reading (see above).

like, similar

From the base of homou; similar (in appearance or character) -- like, + manner.

see GREEK homou

ομοια ομοία όμοια ὁμοία ὅμοια ομοιαι όμοιαι ὅμοιαι ομοιας ομοίας ὁμοίας ομοιοι όμοιοι όμοιοί ὅμοιοι ὅμοιοί ομοιον όμοιον ὅμοιον ομοιος ομοιός όμοιος όμοιός ὅμοιος ὅμοιός ομοίω homoia homoía hómoia homoiai hómoiai homoias homoías homoioi hómoioi hómoioí homoion hómoion homoios hómoios hómoiós omoia omoiai omoias omoioi omoion omoiosInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts