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οὗ

hoû

G3757 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

Relative adverb denoting place: in which place, where; it refers to a place associated with an antecedent, indicating location ("where"). May also denote destination ("whither") depending on context, particularly when used with motion verbs. Always functions to link a clause to its antecedent, typically as a marker of location or spatial relation.

Semantic Range

in which place, where, at which place, to which place, whither (with verbs of motion), wherever (in indefinite constructions)

Root / Etymology

The form οὗ is the genitive singular neuter of the relative pronoun ὅς, but it developed into an adverbial form functioning as a relative adverb of place in Koine and earlier Greek. Originally analogous to Latin ubi.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, οὗ functions as the relative adverb of place, equivalent to 'where' in English—used frequently in historiographic and narrative prose to introduce relative clauses of place (e.g., Xenophon, Herodotus). In biblical Greek (Septuagint and New Testament), its use continues primarily to introduce subordinate clauses describing a location associated with an antecedent (e.g. οὗ ἐστὶν ὁ λίθος, 'where the stone is'). The form is distinct from ὅπου (Hellenistic/Koine usage), which also means 'where,' but tends to occur in somewhat different syntactical environments (ὅπου is more common in spoken and non-literary Koine). οὗ is less common in the New Testament relative to earlier Greek, but remains an important term for denoting spatial or sometimes figurative location. English translations often render οὗ as 'where,' occasionally as 'whither' with motion, but the range is best understood as any place-relative function ('in which,' 'at which,' 'to which').

Translation Consistency

primary "where" 25 occurrences

οὗ is a relative adverb of place whose primary and natural English equivalent is "where." This single word covers location (in/at which place), destination with motion verbs (to which place/whither), and indefinite uses (wherever) while remaining the simplest, most consistent rendering across all occurrences.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

genitive case of ὅς as adverb; at which place, i.e. where:--where(-in), whither(-soever).

Root Family

ὁσ- (hosákis) — as many as, as often as, however many times

Root ὁσ- who, which, that (relative reference); adverbially: where
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G3740 ὁσάκις as often as
G462 ἀνόσιος impious ones

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3757-01 οὗ ou ADV where where where 25

Occurrences in Scripture

25 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3757-01 Matthew 2:9 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Matthew 18:20 οὗ ou CONJ.S where where where
G3757-01 Matthew 28:16 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Luke 4:16 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Luke 4:17 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Luke 10:1 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Luke 23:53 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Luke 24:28 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Acts 1:13 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Acts 2:2 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Acts 7:29 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Acts 12:12 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Acts 16:13 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Acts 20:6 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Acts 20:8 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Acts 25:10 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Acts 28:14 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Romans 4:15 οὗ ou CONJ.S where where where
G3757-01 Romans 5:20 οὗ ou CONJ.S where where where
G3757-01 Romans 9:26 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 1 Corinthians 16:6 οὗ ou CONJ.S wherever where where
G3757-01 2 Corinthians 3:17 οὗ ou CONJ.S where where where
G3757-01 Colossians 3:1 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Hebrews 3:9 οὗ ou ADV where where where
G3757-01 Revelation 17:15 οὗ ou ADV where where where
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