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ὅσιος

hósios

G3741 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Root ὁσι- pious, righteous, devout, in accord with divine law

Definition

Primarily denotes what is righteous or devout in the sense of being in accord with what is considered right by divine law or intrinsic to the character of the divine. In various contexts, it refers to one who is devout, pious, or observes religious duty out of genuine reverence for the divine order, as opposed to mere formal or ritual observance. The term can also function as an adjective describing actions, places, or things as bearing a quality of intrinsic sacredness or moral uprightness.

Semantic Range

devout, observant of divine law, pious, morally upright, sacred (in character), godly, worthy of reverence, intrinsically just (as opposed to ritually pure or legally just), faithful (esp. in the sense of covenant faithfulness), fitting (in the sense of divine propriety)

Root / Etymology

The etymology is uncertain. Although sometimes associated by ancient grammarians with ἱερός ('holy' in the sense of being consecrated) or with ἅγιος ('holy' in the sense of ritual purity), ὅσιος is a distinct term in Greek, already present in Homeric and classical texts. It appears not to be derived from any attested Greek verb or noun root, and its ultimate origin is unclear.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὅσιος describes what is 'right' or 'sanctioned' by divine law, not merely by human conventions. It is often contrasted with δίκαιος ('just', in relation to human law), and ἱερός/ἅγιος (terms of consecration or ritual purity). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it typically refers to persons or things pleasing to God, moral and pious in disposition or action. While English Bible translations often render it as 'holy,' 'devout,' or 'godly,' these do not fully capture the distinct nuance — ὅσιος emphasizes that which aligns with the inherent will or character of the divine, independently of ceremonial regulations. In the LXX, it translates Hebrew terms such as חָסִיד (ḥāsîd, 'faithful, pious'), capturing the sense of covenant fidelity and moral uprightness. In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 2:27, Hebrews 7:26), it may denote the Messiah's intrinsic righteousness or denote persons regarded as especially pious. The term's semantic overlap with 'holy' in English can mask its special focus on inward piety and divinely approved conduct, distinct from ritual or social custom.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; properly, right (by intrinsic or divine character; thus distinguished from 1342, which refers rather to human statutes and relations; from ἱερός, which denotes formal consecration; and from ἅγιος, which relates to purity from defilement), i.e. hallowed (pious, sacred, sure):--holy, mercy, shalt be. 342

Root Family

ὅσιος (hosios) — pious, devout, intrinsically righteous, sacred in character

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G3741-03 ὅσιος osios ADJ.S NOM M SG holy devoutly 3
G3741-02 Ὅσιόν osion ADJ.S ACC M SG Holy One devout one 3
G3741-01 ὅσια osia ADJ.S ACC N PL holy things devout things 1
G3741-04 ὁσίους osious ADJ.A ACC F PL holy devout (feminine plural, accusative) 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G3741-02 Acts 2:27 Ὅσιόν osion ADJ.S ACC M SG Holy One devout one
G3741-01 Acts 13:34 ὅσια osia ADJ.S ACC N PL holy things devout things
G3741-02 Acts 13:35 Ὅσιόν osion ADJ.S ACC M SG Holy One devout one
G3741-04 1 Timothy 2:8 ὁσίους osious ADJ.A ACC F PL holy devout (feminine plural, accusative)
G3741-02 Titus 1:8 ὅσιον osion ADJ.S ACC M SG devout devout one
G3741-03 Hebrews 7:26 ὅσιος osios ADJ.S NOM M SG devoutly
G3741-03 Revelation 15:4 ὅσιος osios ADJ.P NOM M SG holy devoutly
G3741-03 Revelation 16:5 Ὅσιος osios ADJ.S VOC M SG Holy One devoutly
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