ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA GRIEGA
Houtō (G3779) — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
Houtō (G3779) is a Greek adverb meaning 'in this way,' 'thus,' or 'so,' referring to what precedes or follows in context.
Significado de la palabra
Houtō (and the more common spelling houtōs) is an adverb derived from the demonstrative pronoun houtos. At its core it means 'in this way' or 'thus,' pointing the reader back to something already described or forward to what is about to be described. In the King James usage list it covers senses such as so, thus, after this manner, likewise, and even so.
The word can function as a simple referential adverb marking manner (as in Matthew 6:9, 'Pray in this way'), or it can carry an intensifying force when paired with an adjective or adverb (cf. Hebrews 12:21; Revelation 16:18). It is also used in comparison clauses paired with correlative adverbs such as kathaper, kathōs, hōs, or hōsper, producing symmetrical expressions like 'as... so also.'
In some passages houtō serves almost as a predicate meaning 'this is how things are,' summarizing a prior statement or description. Examples include Matthew 1:18, Romans 4:18, and Acts 7:1, where the word signals that the situation just described is the case as it stands.
Uso en las Escrituras
Houtō appears roughly 174 times in the New Testament and is among the most common manner adverbs. It is heavily used in the Gospels, where Jesus employs it to introduce patterns of behavior (Matthew 5:16, 'let your light shine before men, so [houtōs] they may see your good works'), prayers (Matthew 6:9), and comparisons between his own ministry and Old Testament types (Matthew 12:40, 'as Jonah was three days... so will the Son of Man be'). Matthew especially favors houtōs, often pairing it with a comparative clause on one side and a corresponding interpretation on the other.
Outside the Gospels, Paul uses houtō to frame moral exhortation (Romans 12:4-5, 'as in one body we have many members... so [houtōs] we, though many, are one body in Christ') and theological argument (Romans 5:15, comparing Adam and Christ). The Epistles also use it to mark the manner in which Christian conduct should follow Christ's example, while Hebrews and Revelation employ it to signal the manner or intensity of divine action (Hebrews 4:4; Revelation 16:18).
La palabra en detalle
- G3779 Houtō (ὅυτω) and its more frequent variant spelling houtōs (ὅυτως) are treated as the same adverb in standard lexicons. The shorter form is rarer in the NT and is noted in the textual apparatus of Westcott-Hort. Both derive from the demonstrative houtos and share the same range of meanings: 'in this way,' 'thus,' 'so,' with referential, comparative, and intensifying uses.
Versículos de ejemplo
- Matthew 1:18 Houtōs introduces the manner of what follows: 'the birth of Christ was on this wise,' signaling that the surrounding explanation will describe how the event took place.
- Matthew 6:9 Jesus uses houtōs to prescribe the manner of prayer: 'After this manner, therefore, pray ye,' framing the Lord's Prayer as a model pattern rather than a rigid recitation.
- Matthew 12:40 Houtōs pairs with hōsper ('as... so') to draw a typological comparison between Jonah's three days in the sea creature and the Son of Man's three days in the earth.
- Romans 12:4-5 Paul uses houtōs in a kathaper... houtōs construction to link the analogy of one body with many members to the unity of believers in Christ.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the basic meaning of houtō (G3779)?
Houtō is a Greek adverb meaning 'in this way,' 'thus,' or 'so.' It refers either to what precedes or to what follows, and is used to mark manner, comparison, or intensity depending on context.
Is houtō the same as houtōs?
Yes. Houtō and houtōs are variant spellings of the same adverb, both derived from the demonstrative houtos. Houtōs is far more common in the New Testament, while houtō occurs only rarely and is noted in the Westcott-Hort textual apparatus.
How is houtō used in comparisons?
Houtō frequently pairs with comparative adverbs such as kathaper, kathōs, hōs, and hōsper to form parallel clauses like 'as... so also.' Examples include Romans 12:4-5, Matthew 12:40, and 1 Corinthians 7:7, where the word balances the two sides of an analogy.