Original Word: ὅμοιος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: homoios
Pronunciation: ho'-moy-os
Phonetic Spelling: (hom'-oy-os)
KJV: like, + manner
NASB: like, one like, same
Word Origin: [from the base of G3674 (ὁμοῦ - together)]

1. similar (in appearance or character)

like, similar

From the base of homou; similar (in appearance or character) -- like, + manner.

see GREEK homou

Word Origin
from the same as homou
Definition
like, resembling, the same as
NASB Translation
like (43), one like (2), same (1).

STRONGS NT 3664: ὅμοιος

ὅμοιος (on the accent cf. (Chandler §§ 384, 385); Winers Grammar, 52 (51); Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. § 11 Anm. 9), ὁμοία, ὅμοιον, also of two term. (once in the N. T., Revelation 4:3 Rst G L T Tr WH; cf. Winers Grammar, § 11, 1; (Buttmann, 26 (23))) (from ὁμός (akin to ἅμα (which see), Latinsimilis, English same, etc.)) (from Homer down), like, similar, resembling:

a. like i. e. resembling: τίνι, in form or look, John 9:9; Revelation 1:13, 15; Revelation 2:18; Revelation 4:6f.; (but here Tr text WH marginal reading ὁμοιοις), ; (but here T WH with the accusative (for dative)); Rec.; ὁράσει, in appearance, Revelation 4:3; in nature, Acts 17:29; Galatians 5:21; Revelation 21:11, 18; in nature and condition, 1 John 3:2; in mode of thinking, feeling, acting, Matthew 11:16; Matthew 13:52; Luke 6:47-49; Luke 7:31; Luke 12:36, and L WH Tr text (see below) in John 8:55; equivalent to may be compared to a thing, so in parables: Matthew 13:31, 33, 44f, 47; Matthew 20:1; Luke 13:18f, 21.

b. like i. e. corresponding or equivalent to, the same as: ὅμοιον τούτοις τρόπον, Jude 1:7; equal in strength, Revelation 13:4; in power and attractions, Revelation 18:18; in authority, Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31 (here T WH omit; Tr marginal reading brackets ὅμοιον); in mind and character, τίνος (cf. Winers Grammar, 195 (183) (cf. § 28, 2); Buttmann, § 132, 24), John 8:55 R G T Tr marginal reading (see above).

Semantic Range and Grammatical Variety

Strong’s Greek 3664 appears as adjective, adverb, substantive and neuter plural forms. The Spirit-inspired writers employ it to draw verbal “bridges” between familiar earthly realities and greater spiritual truths. Whether modifying nouns (“a man who built a house”) or standing substantively (“things like these”), the term always speaks of recognizable resemblance without implying absolute identity.

Usage in the Teaching of Jesus

1. Kingdom Parables. In Matthew 13, each introductory formula—“The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13:31, 33, 44, 45, 47) and Luke’s parallel (Luke 13:18-21)—invites hearers to discern divine rule through seeds, leaven, treasure, pearls and nets. The likeness device anchors transcendent truth in daily experience, hiding mysteries from the proud while revealing them to childlike faith (Matthew 11:25-26).
2. Ethical Summation. “The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:39). Here the likeness stresses parity of authority between the two greatest commandments, binding love for God and love for neighbor into one inseparable duty.
3. Illustrative Warnings and Encouragements. Jesus compares complacent hearers to children in the marketplace (Matthew 11:16; Luke 7:31-32) and faithful servants who “should be like men waiting for their master” (Luke 12:36). The parable of the two house-builders (Luke 6:47-49) shows that likeness cuts two ways: the obedient disciple resembles a secure structure; the disobedient, a ruin.

Pauline and Petrine Applications

Galatians 5:21 lists vices followed by “and things like these,” signaling that the catalog is illustrative, not exhaustive; any practice sharing the same moral character will bar one from the kingdom. Conversely, believers are promised future conformity to their Lord: “We know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). This prospective likeness motivates present purification (1 John 3:3).

Warnings against Idolatry and Immorality

Acts 17:29 rebukes pagan imagination: “We should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill.” Jude 7 notes Sodom and Gomorrah as “an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire,” highlighting moral likeness as the ground of judgment. Scripture thus denies every attempt to remake God after earthly models while affirming the certainty of retribution upon any society exhibiting comparable corruption.

Apocalyptic Descriptions in Revelation

John’s visions repeatedly reach for 3664 to convey realities surpassing human categories:
• Christ’s feet “like burnished bronze” (Revelation 1:15; 2:18).
• A throne with a rainbow “like an emerald” (Revelation 4:3).
• Living creatures with faces “like a lion… like an ox… like a man… like an eagle” (Revelation 4:7).
• Locusts “like horses prepared for battle” (Revelation 9:7) and tails “like serpents” (Revelation 9:19).
• The second beast “had two horns like a lamb” (Revelation 13:11) and the composite first beast was “like a leopard” (Revelation 13:2).
• New Jerusalem shines with a glory “like that of a most precious jewel” (Revelation 21:11).

These similes safeguard the transcendence of heavenly glory while still offering intelligible pictures for faith. They also expose satanic counterfeits that imitate the Lamb to deceive.

Eschatological Hope and the Pattern of Likeness

The New Testament moves from creational likeness (humanity made in God’s image) through redemptive likeness (conformity to Christ now by sanctification, Romans 8:29 implied) to consummated likeness (perfected glory at His appearing, 1 John 3:2; Revelation 14:14). Each stage is marked by the same vocabulary, underscoring the unity of God’s purpose.

Pastoral and Homiletical Implications

1. Preaching that follows Christ’s model may legitimately employ analogy and everyday imagery, yet must, like His, submit to scriptural boundaries lest resemblance slide into distortion.
2. Ethical exhortation profits from the inclusive scope of “things like these,” reminding believers that holiness cannot be reduced to lists but springs from a renewed nature.
3. Eschatological preaching should preserve both the continuity and the exceeding glory of the age to come: we will be “like Him,” yet He ever remains the unique, worship-worthy Lord.

In sum, Strong’s 3664 is a Spirit-guided tool for revelation, instruction, warning and hope, inviting readers to recognize true likenesses and reject deceptive ones until faith becomes sight.

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