ὅσιος

From the study of 1 Maccabees 7:17

Range of meaning

In ordinary Greek, hosios describes what is religiously proper, what the gods approve, and the person who keeps sacred duties. In the Greek Old Testament it mainly translates Hebrew ḥasid, which comes from ḥesed, the steady loyalty owed within a covenant (a binding relationship of commitment). So a ḥasid is a person who is loyal and devoted, someone who keeps faith with God. The idea is faithfulness inside a relationship, not a special inner holiness.

Against the English

KJV and Brenton say 'saints'. Today that word suggests either officially recognised holy people of the church or unusually virtuous individuals. NRSV's 'faithful ones' is closer. 'Devout' or 'loyal ones' also works.

How it drifted

English 'saint' comes from Latin sanctus ('holy, set apart'). Over centuries of Christian use it came to mean venerated individuals. The Hebrew and Greek idea behind this verse is loyalty to the covenant, not sanctity in that later sense.

Used elsewhere in the period

Psalm 79:2 (Hebrew) has besar ḥasideka, 'the flesh of your loyal ones', which the Greek Psalm renders tas sarkas tōn hosiōn sou. 1 Maccabees 2:42 and 7:13 call a particular group the Asidaioi (Hasideans), a Greek spelling of ḥasidim. 2 Maccabees 14:6 links them with Judas Maccabeus. The Psalms of Solomon (1st century BC) use hosioi for the pious community. Dead Sea Scrolls texts also use ḥasidim for the faithful.

From the study of Revelation 15:4

Range of meaning

In ordinary Greek, ὅσιος describes what is sanctioned by divine law and fitting before the gods: pious, devout, right, the opposite of sacrilege. Applied to God it means upright, faithful, wholly right in his dealings. It overlaps with ἅγιος ('set apart, sacred'), but its centre of gravity is rightness and covenant faithfulness rather than separation.

Against the English

Almost every English version says 'holy' (YLT is the exception with 'kind'). That is acceptable, but English 'holy' usually suggests 'set apart' or 'morally pure, religious'. ὅσιος stresses that God is entirely right and faithful in what he does. YLT's 'kind' reaches back to the Hebrew word ḥasid (related to ḥesed, 'loyal love'), which ὅσιος often translates. That stretches the link too far for this context, which is about judgment.

How it drifted

English 'holy' covers both Greek words, so the difference disappears. Revelation itself uses ὅσιος of God only here and in 16:5 ('you are just, the Holy One'), and both times it is paired with justice.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, LXX) it often translates Hebrew ḥasid, as in Psalm 145:17 [LXX 144:17], 'holy in all his works'. Deuteronomy 32:4 LXX, the Song of Moses, reads 'God, true are his works… just and holy (δίκαιος καὶ ὅσιος) is the Lord.' Revelation 15:3–4 echoes this verse closely: 'true', 'works', 'ways', 'just', 'holy'. Acts 2:27 and 13:35 use it of the Messiah, from Psalm 16:10.

From the study of Revelation 16:5

Range of meaning

In classical Greek, what is approved by divine law and right in the eyes of the gods. Said of a person, it means devout, pious and dutiful. In the Septuagint it usually translates Hebrew ḥasid, meaning loyal, devoted and faithful to covenant love (ḥesed). Applied to God, it means God is true to his own nature and his covenant commitments (BDAG s.v. ὅσιος).

Against the English

All the major English versions have "Holy One." This puts it into the same English word as ἅγιος, the usual word for "holy," meaning set apart or consecrated. Revelation uses ἅγιος often, and ὅσιος only here and in 15:4 ("for you alone are ὅσιος").

How it drifted

English has one word, "holy," for two Greek words. Modern hearers tend to hear "holy" as separateness or moral purity. ὅσιος leans more toward faithfulness and being in the right before the sacred order.

Used elsewhere in the period

Deut 32:4 LXX (the Song of Moses); Ps 144:17 LXX; Ps 15:10 LXX ("your ὅσιος," i.e. your loyal one, quoted in Acts 2:27); Rev 15:4, which comes in the "song of Moses and of the Lamb." Wisdom of Solomon and Josephus use ὅσιος for piety alongside δίκαιος (justice), a common Greek pair: duty toward the gods and duty toward people.