Greek word · G2470

ἴσος

isos

equal

Isos means "equal, the same in size, number, quality or rank." The neuter plural isa used as an adverb means "equally, on equal terms, on a par with." The related compound isotheos means "godlike, equal to a god," and "godlike honours" (isotheoi timai) was a standard phrase for the worship paid...

Appears 8 times in 8 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 22, 2026

What it means

ἴσος

(epic ἶσος, so sometimes Rec.), -η, -ον, [in LXX for כְּ֜, Job 5:14; Job 10:10, al.; אֶחָד, Ezekiel 40:5 ff.; 2Ma.9:15, 4Ma.13:20-21, al. ;]

equal, the same in size, number, quality, etc.: δωρεά, Acts 11:17; μαρτυρίαι, Mark 14:56, 59; ἴ. ποιεῖν, with accusative and dative, Matthew 20:12; ἑαυτὸν τ. θεῷ, John 5:18; τὰ ἴ. ἀπολαβεῖν, Luke 6:34, n. pl., ἴσα, adverbially, Revelation 21:16; τ. θεῷ, Philippians 2:6.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Philippians 2:6

Range of meaning: Isos means "equal, the same in size, number, quality or rank." The neuter plural isa used as an adverb means "equally, on equal terms, on a par with." The related compound isotheos means "godlike, equal to a god," and "godlike honours" (isotheoi timai) was a standard phrase for the worship paid to Hellenistic kings and Roman rulers.
Against the English: "Equal with God" and "equality with God" are accurate. Readers trained in later doctrinal language may hear only the abstract terms of the later creeds ("of one substance"). The Greek is more concrete: to stand on God's level, with the status and honour that belong to God.
Used elsewhere in the period: John 5:18: opponents say Jesus was "making himself equal (ison) to God." 2 Maccabees 9:12: the dying tyrant Antiochus IV confesses it is right "not, being mortal, to think godlike thoughts (isothea phronein)." That uses the same "think" verb as Phil 2:5. Gen 3:5 LXX ("you will be like gods") and Isa 14:14 ("I will make myself like the Most High") are the classic stories of grasping at divine status.

From the study of John 5:18

Range of meaning: Isos means equal in size, value, rank or standing. With 'making oneself' (poiein heauton) it means setting oneself up as, or claiming to be. In Jewish polemic, 'equal to God' was the classic charge against arrogant self-exaltation.
Against the English: All major English versions say 'making himself equal with/to God', which is accurate. What English can blur is the accusing tone of 'making himself': to Jewish ears it meant presumption, putting oneself forward as God's rival.
How it drifted: Readers who know the later creeds may hear a technical statement of the Son's shared divine nature. In its first-century setting the phrase is a hostile charge of self-deification. Jesus' reply (5:19–30) is built to answer its 'himself', not simply to repeat it.
Used elsewhere in the period: Philo, Allegorical Interpretation 1.49: 'self-loving and godless is the mind that thinks itself equal (isos) to God.' 2 Maccabees 9:12: the dying Antiochus admits a mortal should not 'think thoughts equal to God's'. Compare the arrogant rulers of Isaiah 14:14 ('I will make myself like the Most High') and Ezekiel 28:2. In John 10:33 the same charge recurs: 'you, being a man, make yourself God.' Philippians 2:6 uses the related phrase 'to be equal (isa) to God'.

From the study of Acts 11:17

Range of meaning: Equal in size, amount, quality or standing; the same. Used of equal shares, equal rank, matching testimony.
Against the English: 'Same' (BSB, WEB) and 'like' (KJV) are fair. YLT's 'equal' keeps the sense of equal standing that the word has.
Used elsewhere in the period: Matt 20:12: the all-day labourers complain to the vineyard owner, 'you have made them equal (ἴσους) to us', which has the same sound of insiders bristling at newcomers. John 5:18: 'making himself equal to God'. Mark 14:56, 59: testimonies that were not 'equal' (did not agree). Compare Acts 15:8–9, where Peter says God 'made no distinction between us and them'.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

Matthew 20:12 ἴσους equal

‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’

Mark · 2

Mark 14:56 ἴσαι alike

For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent.
Mark 14:59 ἴση alike

But even their testimony was inconsistent.

Luke · 1

Luke 6:34 ἴσα. same amount.

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

Here: 'The equivalent': either the same sum repaid, or an equal favour (a loan) given back to them later. It does not mean a profit or 'double'.

John · 1

John 5:18 ἴσον equal

Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

Here: 'Equal' in standing or rank. Jews used this word in charges against people who exalted themselves to divine status.

Acts · 1

Acts 11:17 ἴσην same

So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder the work of God?”

Here: 'Equal', 'the same in measure and kind'. The gift was not a smaller or second-class version for outsiders. The word comes first in its phrase, which gives it weight.

Philippians · 1

Philippians 2:6 ἴσα equal

Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

Here: A plural form used as an adverb: "in equal ways, on equal terms." It describes being on a par with God in status, honour and way of existing, not merely sameness in some single respect.

Revelation · 1

Revelation 21:16 ἴσα equal

The city lies foursquare, with its width the same as its length. And he measured the city with the rod, and all its dimensions were equal—12,000 stadia in length and width and height.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.