ὅστις
hóstis
G3748 relative pronoun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Relative pronoun indicating indefinite or general reference, often translated as 'whoever', 'anyone who', or 'those who'. The core meaning is: someone or something (persons or things) which, whoever, whichever, whatever, anyone/anything that, those who/which. In contexts, it functions to introduce a general condition, open category, or to emphasize the indefinite nature of the antecedent. In legal, proverbial, or ethical sayings in Koine, ὅστις is often used in contrast to a simple relative pronoun (ὅς) to underline generalized or hypothetical reference.
Semantic Range
whoever, whosoever, anyone who, whatever, anything which, whoever (indefinite), whichever, everyone who, all those who, that which, those who
Root / Etymology
Compound of ὅς (who, which) and τὶς (someone, anyone); forms an indefinite or generalizing relative pronoun distinct from the simple ὅς. The suffix -τις adds indefiniteness to the relative pronoun.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ὅστις (and its forms) served as a strengthened or indefinite relative pronoun, marking an indefinite or general antecedent rather than a specific one, and often used to form conditional or generic statements. In the Koine period, especially in the New Testament, ὅστις and its forms continue to function similarly, sometimes overlapping semantically with ὅς, but typically maintaining its more indefinite or generalized sense ('whoever', 'anyone who'). In Hellenistic and Septuagint Greek, it is used to state general truths, legal or proverbial sayings, or in discourse to regulate inclusion. Standard English translations vary: sometimes simply 'who', often 'whoever' or 'everyone who'; context determines the level of indefiniteness. Occasionally, in translation, nuance can be lost if ὅστις is rendered as the simple relative 'who' or 'that' rather than capturing its open, indefinite sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὅς and τὶς; which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same:--X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare ὅτι.
Root Family
ὅστις (hostis) — whoever, anyone who, whichever, those who, whatever
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3748-04 |
οἵτινες | oitines | PRO.R NOM M PL |
who | those who | 60 |
G3748-03 |
ἥτις | etis | PRO.R NOM F SG |
which | whoever (fem. sg.) | 38 |
G3748-05 |
ὅστις | ostis | PRO.R NOM M SG |
who | whoever | 26 |
G3748-01 |
αἵτινες | aitines | PRO.R NOM F PL |
who | those who | 10 |
G3748-02 |
ἅτινα | atina | PRO.R NOM N PL |
which | whatever things | 5 |
G3748-06 |
ὅτου | otou | PRO.R GEN M SG |
when | of whoever | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
144 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3748-05 |
Matthew 2:6 | ὅστις | ostis | PRO.R NOM M SG |
who | whoever |
G3748-06 |
Matthew 5:25 | ὅτου | otou | PRO.R GEN M SG |
of whoever | |
G3748-05 |
Matthew 5:39 | ὅστις | ostis | PRO.R NOM M SG |
whoever | |
G3748-05 |
Matthew 5:41 | ὅστις | ostis | PRO.R NOM M SG |
whoever | |
G3748-04 |
Matthew 7:15 | οἵτινες | oitines | PRO.R NOM M PL |
those who | |
G3748-05 |
Matthew 7:24 | ὅστις | ostis | PRO.R NOM M SG |
whoever | |
G3748-05 |
Matthew 7:24 | ὅστις | ostis-2 | PRO.R NOM M SG |
whoever | |
G3748-05 |
Matthew 7:26 | ὅστις | ostis | PRO.R NOM M SG |
whoever | |
G3748-05 |
Matthew 10:32 | ὅστις | ostis | PRO.R NOM M SG |
whoever | |
G3748-05 |
Matthew 10:33 | ὅστις | ostis | PRO.R NOM M SG |
whoever |