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G5618 · Greek · New Testament
ὥσπερ
Hōsper
Adverb / Conjunction
Just as, even as, like

Definition

The Greek adverb/conjunction hōsper means 'just as,' 'even as,' or 'in the same way as' — introducing an analogy or comparison. It occurs about 36 times in the New Testament and is frequently used by Paul and in the Gospels to draw theological parallels, especially between Adam and Christ, and between earthly and heavenly realities.

Usage & Theological Significance

Hōsper is the hinge word of Paul's most important theological parallel — Romans 5:12 and 5:19: 'Just as through one man sin entered the world...so also through the one man, Jesus Christ, many will be made righteous.' The Adam-Christ typology depends on this conjunction — the correspondence between the two federal heads of humanity makes the Gospel comprehensible and universal. The word also appears in resurrection analogies (1 Corinthians 15:22 — 'For just as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive') and in Jesus' self-disclosure: 'For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth' (Matthew 12:40). Small word, immense theological load.

Key Bible Verses

Romans 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
1 Corinthians 15:22 For just as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Matthew 25:32 ...He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
John 5:21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

Related Words

External Resources

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