ὅμιλος
hómilos
G3658
SILEX Entry
Definition
A group assembled together, a crowd or gathering of people; generally refers to a collection of individuals who are in close association or physical proximity for a common purpose, whether formal or informal. In various contexts, can denote a company, a throng, a multitude, or an assembly, with an emphasis on togetherness.
Semantic Range
group, crowd, throng, assembly, company, association, gathering, host
Root / Etymology
Derived from ὁμοῦ ('together') and likely related to a verb form from the root αἱρ- ('to take, to grasp, to gather'). The formation underscores the idea of people being brought or coming together.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ὅμιλος primarily referred to a crowd or throng, especially at gatherings such as assemblies, festivals, or battle formations, typically highlighting the collective nature of the group. It could describe both orderly gatherings (an assembly, a host) and less structured crowds (a noisy throng). In Hellenistic and Koine usage, the term retained the sense of a gathering, sometimes emphasizing a close-knit or even exclusive company. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term is rare, as more common words for crowds (such as ὄχλος) are often used, but ὅμιλος can carry connotations of association and unity distinct from more generic terms for 'crowd.' English translations often render it as 'company,' 'group,' 'assembly,' or 'crowd,' but these can fail to capture nuances of close association implied in Greek.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the base of ὁμοῦ and a derivative of the alternate of αἱρέομαι (meaning a crowd); association together, i.e. a multitude:--company.
Root Family
ὁμιλ- (homiléō) — to associate, to mingle, to accompany, to converse
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.