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οἴομαι

oíomai

G3633 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To hold an opinion, to suppose, to judge; generally refers to the act of forming a judgment or belief about something, often with a sense of personal conviction or subjective assessment. The meaning centers on thinking or considering something to be so, with uses ranging from 'to suppose' or 'to be of the opinion' to occasionally 'to presume' or 'to expect.'

Semantic Range

to think, to suppose, to imagine, to judge, to hold an opinion, to presume, to expect

Root / Etymology

From the root οἰ-, possibly related to οἶδα ('I know'), but the connection is debated among scholars; the etymology is uncertain. It is not directly derived from οἷος ('such as'), despite past conjectures.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, οἴομαι is widely attested from Homer onwards, where it commonly means 'to think,' 'to suppose,' or 'to imagine'—almost always expressing the subject's internal opinion rather than objective fact. In the Koine period and the New Testament, it retains this core meaning of subjective opinion, often introducing statements that reflect a speaker's belief rather than direct knowledge (e.g., Acts 8:20, 'you thought that the gift of God could be obtained with money'). English translations as 'suppose,' 'think,' or 'imagine' are generally accurate, but the word often implies an internal perspective distinct from external evidence. There is no necessary implication that the belief is correct—indeed, it may be mistaken. Distinguished from δοκέω, which can mean 'seem' or 'appear,' οἴομαι places the emphasis on the individual's conviction. In Hellenistic and philosophical literature, it can carry nuances of conjecture or even mistaken belief. In the Septuagint, the verb is rare, and when present, parallels the use in secular Koine sources; it never acquires a specifically religious or technical sense. The form οἰόμενος (participle) can be rendered as 'supposing,' 'believing,' or 'thinking.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

middle voice apparently from οἷος; to make like (oneself), i.e. imagine (be of the opinion):--suppose, think.

Root Family

οἰ- (oíomai) — to think, to suppose, to be of the opinion

Root οἰ- to think, to suppose, to be of the opinion

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3633-01 οἰέσθω oiestho V PRS MID IMP 3P SG let think let him suppose for himself let him suppose for himself 1
G3633-02 οἶμαι oimai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I suppose I consider for myself I suppose 1
G3633-03 οἰόμενοι oiomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL supposing those supposing those supposing 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3633-02 John 21:25 οἶμαι oimai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I suppose I consider for myself I suppose
G3633-03 Philippians 1:17 οἰόμενοι oiomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL supposing those supposing those supposing
G3633-01 James 1:7 οἰέσθω oiestho V PRS MID IMP 3P SG let think let him suppose for himself let him suppose for himself
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