Pronunciation Guide: ho-SAH-kees
Quick Answer: ὁσάκις (hosakis) means “as often as” or “whenever” – establishing divine rhythm for sacred remembrance and covenant faithfulness. This temporal marker appears in the Messiah’s communion instructions and prophetic judgments, emphasizing recurring spiritual acts that connect believers to יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) eternal purposes.
1. What Does ὁσάκις Mean?
Strong’s G3740: ὁσάκις functions as a temporal adverb that establishes recurring patterns of spiritual significance. Far beyond simple frequency, this word creates sacred rhythms that bind believers to covenant remembrance and divine authority. In the Messiah’s communion discourse, ὁσάκις transforms routine eating and drinking into prophetic proclamation, while in Revelation it marks the sovereign exercise of divine judgment through heavenly witnesses. The word carries the weight of intentional repetition – not mindless ritual, but purposeful reenactment that bridges time between past redemption and future glory.
Key Insight: ὁσάκις transforms ordinary frequency into sacred rhythm, making every repetition a covenant renewal.
2. Where Does ὁσάκις Come From?
- Part of Speech: Temporal adverb
- Root Words: ὅς (hos) – relative pronoun “who/which” + -άκις (-akis) – frequency suffix
- Language Origin: Classical Greek, inherited into Koine
- Primary Usage: Establishing temporal correlations and repeated actions
- Hebrew Equivalents: בכל־עת (bekol-et) “at every time,” כאשר (ka’asher) “when/as”
3. What Is the Historical and Cultural Context of ὁσάκις?
The word ὁσάκις emerges from classical Greek’s sophisticated system for expressing temporal relationships. Composed of the relative pronoun ὅς (hos) meaning “who/which” combined with the frequency suffix -άκις (-akis), it creates precise correlations between actions and their timing. This grammatical construction reflects Greek philosophical interest in understanding the relationship between events and their occurrence patterns.
In classical Greek literature, ὁσάκις appeared in contexts requiring exact temporal specification – legal documents establishing recurring obligations, philosophical treatises examining repetitive phenomena, and historical accounts marking cyclical events. The word carried forensic precision, establishing clear parameters for when and how often actions should occur.
Septuagint and Hebrew Context
The Septuagint translators chose ὁσάκις to render Hebrew temporal constructions like בכל־עת (bekol-et) “at every time” and כאשר (ka’asher) “when/as.” This choice preserved the Hebrew emphasis on covenant faithfulness expressed through regular, intentional acts of remembrance and obedience.
First Century Jewish Culture
By the first century CE, Jewish communities understood time not as linear progression but as sacred rhythm. Religious observances followed divinely ordained patterns – daily prayers, weekly Sabbaths, annual festivals. ὁσάκις captured this concept of sanctified repetition, where each occurrence carried the full weight of covenant relationship with יהוה (Yahweh).
Historical Summary: ὁσάκις evolved from Greek temporal precision into Jewish covenant language, expressing sacred rhythm rather than mere repetition.
4. How Is ὁσάκις Used in the Bible?
ὁσάκις appears only three times in the New Testament – twice in 1 Corinthians 11:25-26 regarding communion and once in Revelation 11:6 describing the two witnesses’ power. This limited usage makes each occurrence theologically significant.
In Paul’s communion discourse, ὁσάκις establishes the sacred rhythm of covenant remembrance. The word means “whenever” or “in all cases when this occurs”, transforming each communion celebration into a prophetic proclamation of the Messiah’s death until His return. The temporal marker connects past sacrifice with future hope, making every observance a theological bridge across time.
In Revelation 11:6, ὁσάκις describes the witnesses’ authority to execute judgment “as often as they desire.” Here the word emphasizes sovereign freedom rather than ritualistic obligation – divine representatives acting according to heavenly timing rather than earthly schedules.
The biblical usage reveals ὁσάκις as more than frequency marker; it establishes theological rhythm. Paul’s use in 1 Corinthians represents new revelation not found in the Gospels, emphasizing that communion observance should occur regularly but leaving specific timing to each Christian community’s discernment.
Usage Summary: ὁσάκις creates sacred temporal frameworks where divine purposes intersect human experience through repeated acts of covenant faithfulness.
Cross-References:
- 1 Corinthians 11:25 – “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. ὁσάκις do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:26 – “For ὁσάκις as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”
- Revelation 11:6 – “They have power to strike the earth with every kind of plague, ὁσάκις as often as they desire.”
5. How Should ὁσάκις Be Translated?
Primary Meanings:
- “As often as” – establishing frequency correlation
- “Whenever” – emphasizing conditional timing
- “As many times as” – quantifying repeated actions
- “Every time that” – marking consistent patterns
Translation Tip: Context determines whether ὁσάκις emphasizes frequency, conditionality, or covenant rhythm – always consider the theological purpose behind the repetition.
ὁσάκις Translation Options:
| Translation | Context | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| “As often as” | Communion passages | Emphasizes regular but unspecified frequency, preserving Christian liberty in timing |
| “Whenever” | General temporal correlation | Focuses on conditional occurrence rather than predetermined schedule |
| “As many times as” | Quantitative emphasis | Highlights the complete scope of repeated actions |
| “Every time that” | Consistent pattern | Emphasizes unfailing correlation between condition and result |
| “As oft as” | Traditional/liturgical | Preserves classical dignity while maintaining temporal precision |
6. What Does ὁσάκις Teach Us About God?
ὁσάκις reveals יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) commitment to sacred rhythm rather than rigid legalism. The word appears in contexts where God establishes patterns of remembrance and judgment without prescribing exact schedules. This demonstrates divine wisdom that honors both consistency and freedom – believers maintain covenant faithfulness through regular observance while exercising Spirit-led discernment about timing.
Divine Patience and Consistency
The communion usage of ὁσάκις shows God’s patient desire for ongoing relationship. Rather than demanding single acts of remembrance, יהוה (Yahweh) establishes rhythm that allows multiple encounters across time. Each observance becomes fresh opportunity for covenant renewal, revealing divine love that never tires of relationship with His people.
Sovereign Authority and Timing
In Revelation, ὁσάκις demonstrates God’s absolute authority over judgment timing. The two witnesses exercise divine power “as often as they desire”, showing that heavenly justice operates according to divine wisdom rather than human expectations. This reveals יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) sovereignty over all temporal affairs.
Theological Core: ὁσάκις reveals God as covenant-keeper who establishes sacred rhythms of relationship while maintaining sovereign freedom over timing.
7. How Can I Apply ὁσάκις to My Life?
The sacred rhythm of ὁσάκις calls believers to embrace both consistency and freedom in spiritual disciplines. Rather than legalistic scheduling, ὁσάκις invites us into regular patterns of remembrance that honor the Messiah’s sacrifice. This means approaching communion, prayer, and Scripture reading not as mere duty but as covenant renewal opportunities.
Consider how ὁσάκις transforms your understanding of “regular” spiritual practices. Instead of checking boxes on religious calendars, each repetition becomes fresh encounter with living God. Whether daily prayer, weekly worship, or periodic communion, the Spirit of יהוה (Yahweh) sanctifies these rhythms as covenant bridge-building between your present circumstances and eternal hope.
Self-Examination Questions: Do I approach repeated spiritual disciplines as fresh covenant encounters or routine obligations? How does understanding ὁσάκις change my perspective on “regular” worship practices? Am I maintaining sacred rhythm while remaining sensitive to the Spirit’s leading about timing?
8. What Words Are Similar to ὁσάκις?
- πάντοτε (pantote) – “Always, at all times” – Emphasizes constant state rather than repeated action – See G3842
- πολλάκις (pollakis) – “Many times, often” – Focuses on frequency without temporal correlation – See G4178
- ὅταν (hotan) – “When, whenever” – General temporal conditional without frequency emphasis – See G3752
- καθώς (kathos) – “Just as, according as” – Establishes manner rather than timing – See G2531
9. Did You Know?
- What does ὁσάκις mean in modern Greek? Modern Greek preserves ὁσάκις as “όσες φορές” (oses fores) meaning “as many times as,” maintaining the ancient temporal correlation concept.
- How did classical authors use ὁσάκις? Greek historians like Thucydides used ὁσάκις in military contexts to describe recurring battle patterns and strategic repetitions.
- What’s the difference between ὁσάκις and πολλάκις? ὁσάκις establishes correlation between timing and action, while πολλάκις simply indicates high frequency without conditional relationship.
- Why does the Bible use ὁσάκις in communion contexts? The word transforms eating and drinking from simple consumption into prophetic proclamation that spans time from cross to crown.
- How does ὁσάκις relate to covenant theology? The word establishes rhythm for covenant renewal, where each repetition maintains relationship rather than earning merit.
- What causes confusion about ὁσάκις today? Many churches misuse Paul’s communion instructions by focusing on individual worthiness rather than corporate covenant proclamation.
- The frequency suffix -άκις appears in multiple Greek words – Creating a family of temporal adverbs that precisely specify how often actions occur, demonstrating Greek linguistic sophistication in temporal expression.
10. Remember This
ὁσάκις establishes sacred rhythm where covenant faithfulness meets divine freedom – not the bondage of religious schedule, but the liberty of Spirit-led remembrance that bridges time between Messiah’s sacrifice and His return.
