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ὁμοιόω

homoióō

G3666 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make like, to render similar, to liken; in passive or middle voices, to become like or similar to something. Typically denotes the act of drawing an explicit comparison or establishing likeness between two entities or classes, whether in form, character, or function. In extended contexts, can refer to the process of assimilation or transformation into a likeness.

Semantic Range

to make similar, to liken, to compare by analogy, to become like or resemble, to be assimilated, to be transformed into a likeness, to cause to resemble

Root / Etymology

Derived from ὅμοιος (hómoios, 'like, similar'). The verb is a denominative formation with the suffix -όω, indicating the result or process of becoming or making like.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὁμοιόω appears with the active meaning of 'make like' or 'cause to resemble' (e.g., in Plato or Aristotle for analogical reasoning or artistic comparison). The middle and passive forms (especially in Koine Greek and the New Testament) typically convey 'to become like' or 'to be made like.' The verb is rare in the Septuagint and the New Testament but frequently occurs in parabolic or metaphorical speech, particularly in sayings introducing comparisons (e.g., 'The kingdom of heaven is likened to...'). English Bible translations vary, rendering the term as 'liken,' 'resemble,' 'become like,' or 'assimilate.' The semantic breadth is somewhat broader than modern 'compare,' as it can imply ontological as well as metaphorical sameness. In Hellenistic and later philosophical Greek, ὁμοιόω is sometimes used for spiritual or moral assimilation (e.g., being made like the divine). Contrast with παραβάλλω ('to set beside, compare') and εἰκονίζω ('to make into an image, to represent visually'). In NT Greek, the term carries both a literal and metaphorical sense, often depending on whether the agent is human or divine. Not to be confused with related nouns such as ὁμοίωσις ('likeness, resemblance') or the adjective ὅμοιος ('like, similar').

Translation Consistency

primary "liken" 11 occurrences

ὁμοιόω most typically means to draw an explicit comparison or to make something similar. "Liken" captures the active sense (to compare or make similar) while also fitting passive/middle uses (be likened, be made like). It aligns with the common biblical English usage and is clearer and more specific than broader alternatives like "make" or "resemble."

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"made like" (2x) "become like" (1x) "having been made like" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὅμοιος; to assimilate, i.e. compare; passively, to become similar:--be (make) like, (in the) liken(-ess), resemble.

Root Family

ὁμοιόω (homoioō) — to make like, to liken, to render similar

Root ὁμοιό- to make like, to liken, to become similar

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3666-01 ὁμοιώσω omoioso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG shall I liken I will liken I will liken 4
G3666-07 ὁμοιωθήσεται omoiothesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG will be like will be made like will be likened to 3
G3666-03 ὡμοιώθη omoiothe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was likened was made like was likened 3
G3666-06 ὁμοιωθέντες omoiothentes V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL having become like having been made like having been made like 1
G3666-02 ὁμοιώσωμεν omoiosomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL shall we liken let us liken let us liken 1
G3666-04 ὡμοιώθημεν omoiothemen V AOR PASS IND 1P PL we had been made like we were made like we were made like 1
G3666-05 ὁμοιωθῆναι omoiothenai V AOR PASS INF be made like to be made like to be made like 1
G3666-08 ὁμοιωθῆτε omoiothete V AOR PASS SUBJ 2P PL be like you might become like become like 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3666-08 Matthew 6:8 ὁμοιωθῆτε omoiothete V AOR PASS SUBJ 2P PL be like you might become like become like
G3666-07 Matthew 7:24 ὁμοιωθήσεται omoiothesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG will be like will be made like will be likened to
G3666-07 Matthew 7:26 ὁμοιωθήσεται omoiothesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG will be like will be made like will be likened to
G3666-01 Matthew 11:16 ὁμοιώσω omoioso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG shall I liken I will liken I will liken
G3666-03 Matthew 13:24 ὡμοιώθη omoiothe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG has been likened was made like was likened
G3666-03 Matthew 18:23 ὡμοιώθη omoiothe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was likened was made like was likened
G3666-03 Matthew 22:2 ὡμοιώθη omoiothe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was likened was made like was likened
G3666-07 Matthew 25:1 ὁμοιωθήσεται omoiothesetai V FUT PASS IND 3P SG the kingdom...will be likened will be made like will be likened to
G3666-02 Mark 4:30 ὁμοιώσωμεν omoiosomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL shall we liken let us liken let us liken
G3666-01 Luke 7:31 ὁμοιώσω omoioso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG shall I liken I will liken I will liken
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