Relative Pronouns in Greek: ὅς, ἥ, ὅ

In the tapestry of New Testament Greek, the relative pronouns ὅς, ἥ, and ὅ serve as grammatical threads that bind theology, narrative, and exhortation into seamless expression. These pronouns—agreeing in gender and number with their antecedents and shaped by their syntactic roles—introduce clauses that clarify, describe, or interpret, as seen in passages like John 1:41 and Acts 10:38. Beyond their basic forms, they exhibit syntactic nuance through phenomena like case attraction and compound relatives (e.g., ὅστις), revealing the expressive depth of Greek syntax. Far from incidental, their precise use by authors like John and Paul underpins doctrinal clarity and literary cohesion, making mastery of these small words essential for grasping the inspired architecture of biblical thought.

The Function of the Relative Pronoun

The relative pronoun ὅς, ἥ, ὅ introduces clauses that qualify or describe an antecedent. In English, it is comparable to “who,” “which,” or “that.” These pronouns allow Greek authors to weave additional information into their sentences without starting a new thought. By linking clauses, the relative pronoun is central to both syntax and style in the New Testament.

Forms and Paradigm

The relative pronoun agrees with its antecedent in gender and number, while its case is determined by its role in the relative clause. The standard forms are:

Examples from the Greek New Testament 

ὅς: “ὅς ἐστιν μεθερμηνευόμενον Χριστός” (John 1:41).
This nominative masculine singular form refers to the Μεσσίας and functions as the subject of the verb ἐστιν. It is a straightforward and accurate example of a relative pronoun introducing a descriptive clause.

ἥ: A proper example is found in Revelation 2:20: “τὴν γυναῖκα Ἰεζάβελ, ἥ λέγει ἑαυτὴν προφῆτιν.”
Here, ἥ is nominative feminine singular, agreeing with “the woman Jezebel.” It functions as the subject of the clause, clarifying her claim to be a prophetess.

ὅ: “Εὑρήκαμεν τὸν Μεσσίαν, ὅ ἐστιν μεθερμηνευόμενον Χριστός” (John 1:41).
Here ὅ is nominative neuter singular, functioning as the subject complement in the explanatory clause. It equates Μεσσίας with Χριστός, making the relative pronoun integral to the interpretation.

ὅν: “Ἰησοῦν τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέθ, ὃν ἔχρισεν ὁ Θεὸς Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ” (Acts 10:38).
This is accusative masculine singular, functioning as the direct object of ἔχρισεν. It shows how the relative pronoun can mark the recipient of divine action.

Syntactic and Semantic Functions

• Attributive clauses – adding descriptive information to a noun (“the prophet who speaks”).
• Substantival clauses – where the whole clause functions as subject or object (“whoever believes has life”).
• Explanatory clauses – often clarifying identity, as in John 1:41, where ὅ provides interpretation.

Theological and Literary Significance

The careful use of relative pronouns in the New Testament contributes to doctrinal precision. Writers like John and Paul rely on them to bind ideas together tightly. The theological weight of Christological identification, ecclesial descriptions, and ethical exhortations often turns on the proper recognition of these small but vital words.

Beyond Basics: Attraction and Compound Relatives

Advanced study notes phenomena such as case attraction, where the case of the relative pronoun shifts to align with its antecedent, and the use of οἵτινες or ὅστις to introduce clauses with a more general or qualitative force. These features reveal the flexibility and expressive capacity of Greek syntax.

Grammar as Theology’s Thread

Far from being mere connectors, ὅς, ἥ, ὅ function as threads weaving doctrine, narrative, and exhortation into cohesive expression. Their mastery enables the reader to discern the texture of New Testament thought and to appreciate the inspired precision of its language.