Word Study for G2470 (ἴσος) | Strong's Concordance

ísos /ee'-sos/ Ask about this word

Rootprobably from εἴδω (through the idea of seeming)

Meaningsimilar (in amount and kind)

KJV usage+ agree, as much, equal, like.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ísos — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word ísos, represented by G2470, conveys the idea of being similar in amount and kind. It appears 9 times across 8 unique verses in the Bible. While it can mean "like" or "as much," its most significant use is to define something as being equal.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G2470 is used to make crucial theological statements. It is central to the charge against Jesus that he was "making himself equal with God" John 5:18. Paul clarifies that Jesus, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God Philippians 2:6. The term is also used in a parable where laborers are made equal in pay despite working different hours Matthew 20:12, and it describes the dimensions of the New Jerusalem, where its length, breadth, and height are equal Revelation 21:16. In a different context, it signifies inconsistency, as the witness against Jesus did not agree Mark 14:56.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the concept of equality:

G2316 theós (a deity, especially... the supreme Divinity): This word is the object of the equality described in key passages, such as when Jesus is said to be "equal with God" John 5:18.
G3444 morphḗ (shape; figuratively, nature): This term is used to describe Christ's divine nature, who existed "in the form of God," which is directly linked to His being "equal with God" Philippians 2:6.
G3962 patḗr (a "father"): Jesus' claim to have God as his Father was the basis for the accusation that he was making himself equal with God John 5:18.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2470 is immense, particularly in defining the nature of Christ.

Divine Equality of Christ: The most profound use of G2470 is to articulate the nature of Jesus. It establishes His divinity by stating He is "equal with God" Philippians 2:6, a claim so significant that it was seen as the reason to seek his death John 5:18.
Impartiality in Grace and Reward: The word illustrates God's standards of grace. In Acts, God gives the Gentiles the "like gift" as He gave to Jewish believers, showing equal standing in his plan Acts 11:17. The parable of the laborers who are made equal shows a principle of grace that transcends human ideas of merit Matthew 20:12.
Symbol of Divine Perfection: The dimensions of the New Jerusalem—its length, breadth, and height—are described as equal Revelation 21:16. This perfect symmetry signifies the flawless and divinely ordered nature of God's ultimate dwelling place with humanity.

Summary

In summary, G2470 is a word that moves from simple comparison to profound theological declaration. It is used to describe a "like gift" Acts 11:17, receiving "as much" as one lends Luke 6:34, and the perfect geometry of heaven Revelation 21:16. Most critically, it serves as a cornerstone for Christology, defining the Son's relationship to the Father as one of true equality. The word ísos demonstrates how a concept of similarity can carry the weight of defining the very nature of God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as an adjective across 8 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Accusative Plural Neuter 2×
Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
Accusative Singular Feminine 1×
Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
Nominative Plural Feminine 1×
Nominative Plural Neuter 1×
Nominative Singular Feminine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 8 verses across 7 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Mark (2 verses); never once in the other 20.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Philippians

Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.