ὁσάκις

as often as

Definition

The Greek particle ὁσάκις means 'as often as' or 'as many times as,' expressing a repeated action or event that occurs each time a specific condition is met. It emphasizes the regularity and correlation between two actions, indicating that whenever one thing happens, another follows. In the New Testament, it consistently carries this sense of repeated occurrence tied to a condition, as seen in 1 Corinthians 11:25-26, where it links the act of drinking the cup with proclaiming the Lord's death. No significant variation in meaning exists across its uses.

Biblical Usage

ὁσάκις appears only three times in the New Testament, all in contexts emphasizing repetition tied to a sacred or prophetic action. In 1 Corinthians 11:25-26, it is used twice by Paul to connect the repeated observance of the Lord's Supper with the proclamation of Christ's death ('as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup... as often as you drink it'). In Revelation 11:6, it describes the repeated power of the two witnesses to shut the sky, 'as often as they desire.' Its usage is limited to epistolary and apocalyptic literature, highlighting ritual or prophetic repetition.

Etymology

ὁσάκις is derived from the Greek root ὅσος (hosos), meaning 'as much as' or 'as many as,' combined with the adverbial suffix -άκις, which indicates frequency or repetition. It is a correlative adverb that developed to express repeated instances in relation to a condition, similar to English 'whenever.' Cognates include ὅσος (G3745) and ὁπόσος (G3746), which relate to quantity or extent.

Semantic Range

ὁσάκις is theologically significant as it underscores the ongoing, commemorative nature of Christian practices, particularly the Lord's Supper. In 1 Corinthians 11:25-26, it reinforces that each observance of communion is a fresh proclamation of Christ's atoning death, linking believers across time to the gospel event. Understanding this Greek term enriches Bible reading by highlighting how biblical rituals are not mere traditions but repeated acts of faith that dynamically recall and affirm core doctrines of redemption and hope.

In ancient Greek culture, words expressing frequency and condition were common in legal, philosophical, and religious texts to denote precise relationships between actions. ὁσάκις would have been understood as a formal marker of repetition, similar to its use in classical Greek. In the New Testament, its application to the Lord's Supper reflects the early Christian adaptation of meal practices for theological remembrance, differing from modern casual understandings of 'whenever' by carrying a weight of covenantal repetition.

ὅταν (hotan, G3752) — 'whenever,' but less specific to frequency and more general for time; ἐφ᾽ ὅσον (eph' hoson, G3745) — 'as long as' or 'inasmuch as,' focusing on duration or extent rather than repeated instances.

Word Details

Scripture References