ἀφομοιόω (G871) — Greek Lexicon

ἀφομοιόω

aphomoióō

G871 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make similar to, to cause to resemble, to assimilate. The primary lexical meaning involves the act of rendering one thing like another in appearance, character, form, or substance. In some contexts, it can carry the nuance of fashioning after a model or likeness or making conform to a pattern. The sense may include physical, behavioral, or abstract similarity based on the context.

Semantic Range

to make like, to cause to resemble, to bring into conformity, to fashion after, to assimilate, to transform into the likeness of

Root / Etymology

Formed from the preposition ἀπό (from, away from) and the verb ὁμοιόω (to make like, to liken). The prefix ἀπο- here functions as an intensifier, sometimes indicating movement toward full resemblance or assimilation. Thus, ἀφομοιόω intensifies the original sense of 'to make like.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in later Greek (post-classical period), ἀφομοιόω is rare in extant Greek literature and especially in the New Testament, where it occurs only in passive or middle forms. In the Septuagint, it is sometimes used when describing humans being made similar to God or divine realities, often in a metaphorical sense (e.g., being conformed in glory or likeness). In philosophical Greek (e.g., Philo, Plato), the cognate noun ἀφομοίωσις refers to the process of becoming like a higher paradigm or ideal, often in moral or spiritual terms. Standard English translations typically render the verb as 'to make like,' 'to resemble,' or 'to become like,' depending on context, but these do not always capture the nuance of transformation or assimilation implied in Greek. The verb is distinct from ὁμοιόω (which simply means to make like), inasmuch as the prefix ἀπο- can denote a more complete or purposeful assimilation. The semantic range can include both outward/formal resemblance and inward/moral conformity, depending on the literary or philosophical context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπό and ὁμοιόω; to assimilate closely:--make like.

Root Family

ἀφομοιόω (aphomoioō) — to make like, to cause to resemble, to assimilate

Root ὁμοι- to make like, to resemble, to assimilate

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G871-01`	ἀφωμοιωμένος	aphomoiomenos	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	made like	having been fully assimilated	having been fully assimilated	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G871-01`	Hebrews 7:3	ἀφωμοιωμένος	aphomoiomenos	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	made like	having been fully assimilated	having been fully assimilated

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