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οὖς

oûs

G3775 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Outer ear; the organ of hearing (primarily anatomical), with extended usage for the faculty or sense of hearing, perception, or attentiveness. In a metaphorical sense, it can refer to the ability or openness to receive information or understand, especially used in phrases about 'having ears to hear' or 'listening.'

Semantic Range

outer ear, organ of hearing, faculty of hearing, sense of perception, openness or readiness to listen, figuratively: receptivity to messages or teachings

Root / Etymology

Primary Greek noun of uncertain further etymology; not generally derived from other terms within Greek, but cognate with related terms for 'ear' in Indo-European languages (cf. Latin auris).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, οὖς refers simply to the physical ear, both of humans and animals, and by extension, to hearing as a faculty (cf. Xenophon, Plato, Aristotle). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, its usage expands to metaphorical and idiomatic expressions, notably in formulaic sayings such as 'he who has ears to hear, let him hear' (see e.g. Matt 11:15). In such expressions, the noun moves from its anatomical sense to indicate receptivity, comprehension, or responsiveness to spoken messages, teachings, or revelations. While standard English translations almost always render οὖς as 'ear,' these do not capture the nuance of attentiveness or discernment present in some contexts. οὖς is distinct from ἀκοή (G189), which more often emphasizes the act or faculty of hearing/listening rather than the physical organ itself.

Translation Consistency

primary "ear" 37 occurrences

οὖς primarily names the anatomical organ and, by extension, the faculty of hearing or receptivity. The natural, common English rendering is “ear” (inflected as needed to “ears”), which covers literal and figurative uses (e.g. ‘ears to hear’) better than alternatives like “hearing” or “audience.” Using the singular base “ear” lets all forms be produced consistently and naturally.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary word; the ear (physically or mentally):--ear.

Root Family

οὖς (ous) — ear, organ of hearing, faculty of perception

Root οὖς ear, to hear, to perceive

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3775-02 ὦτα ota N ACC N PL ears ears ears 18
G3775-03 οὖς ous N ACC N SG ear ear ear 13
G3775-01 ὠσὶν osin N DAT N PL ears to the ears to the ears 6

Occurrences in Scripture

37 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3775-03 Matthew 10:27 οὖς ous N ACC N SG ear ear ear
G3775-02 Matthew 11:15 ὦτα ota N ACC N PL ears ears ears
G3775-02 Matthew 13:9 ὦτα ota N ACC N PL ears ears ears
G3775-01 Matthew 13:15 ὠσὶν osin N DAT N PL ears to the ears to the ears
G3775-01 Matthew 13:15 ὠσὶν osin-2 N DAT N PL ears to the ears to the ears
G3775-02 Matthew 13:16 ὦτα ota N NOM N PL ears ears ears
G3775-02 Matthew 13:43 ὦτα ota N ACC N PL ears ears ears
G3775-02 Mark 4:9 ὦτα ota N ACC N PL ears ears ears
G3775-02 Mark 4:23 ὦτα ota N ACC N PL ears ears ears
G3775-02 Mark 7:16 ὦτα ota N ACC N PL ears ears ears
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