WG: Image / Likeness — NT Representation Language
Overview
Five Greek words share the semantic space of "image, likeness, form, and representation" in the NT. Together they describe how persons, objects, or realities correspond to, resemble, or derive from an original — spanning Christology (Christ as God's image), anthropology (humans as bearers of God's image), typology (law as shadow; fulfillment as image), and eschatology (image of the beast).
Word Group Members
| Strong's |
Word |
Transliteration |
POS |
Occurrences |
Role in Concept |
Library Entry |
| G1504 |
εἰκών |
eikōn |
fem. noun |
20 |
The derived likeness or representation (portrait, statue, visible image) |
G1504 |
| G5481 |
χαρακτήρ |
charaktēr |
masc. noun |
1 |
The exact engraved impression — precise replication (Heb 1:3) |
TODO(need G5481 study) |
| G3667 |
ὁμοίωμα |
homoiōma |
neut. noun |
6 |
Outward resemblance in form — the similarity of appearance |
TODO(need G3667 study) |
| G5179 |
τύπος |
typos |
masc. noun |
15 |
The stamped pattern or archetype — the model that prefigures |
G5179-typos.md |
| G3444 |
μορφή |
morphē |
fem. noun |
3 |
The inherent outward form constituting the essential nature |
TODO(need G3444 study) |
Relationships
Shared Roots
- εἰκών (G1504) — from εἴκω (to be like); derived resemblance
- ὁμοίωμα (G3667) — from ὅμοιος (like, similar); formal likeness
- χαρακτήρ (G5481) — from χαράσσω (to engrave); the stamped impression
- τύπος (G5179) — from τύπτω (to strike); the die/stamp or its impression
- μορφή (G3444) — root unclear; the visible, essential form
Co-occurrence (shared distinct verses)
| Word A |
Word B |
Shared Verses |
Typical Context |
| εἰκών (G1504) |
ὁμοίωμα (G3667) |
1x |
Rom 1:23 — "image [eikōn] made like to [homoiōma]" |
| ὁμοίωμα (G3667) |
τύπος (G5179) |
1x |
Rom 5:14 — "similitude of Adam's transgression" (type/likeness) |
| ὁμοίωμα (G3667) |
μορφή (G3444) |
1x |
Phl 2:7 — "in the likeness of men... in fashion as a man" |
Conceptual Gradient
| Emphasis |
Word |
Gloss |
Key Verse |
| Derived resemblance |
εἰκών (G1504) |
image, portrait |
Col 1:15 — "image of the invisible God" |
| Exact impression |
χαρακτήρ (G5481) |
express image |
Heb 1:3 — "express image of his person" |
| Outward similarity |
ὁμοίωμα (G3667) |
likeness |
Rom 8:3 — "in the likeness of sinful flesh" |
| Archetype pattern |
τύπος (G5179) |
type, pattern |
1Co 10:6 — "were our examples [types]" |
| Essential form |
μορφή (G3444) |
form |
Phl 2:6 — "in the form of God" |
Roles in the Concept
- εἰκών — the derived representation; used for God's image in man, Christ as God's visible image, coins, and the beast's idol
- χαρακτήρ — the precise replication; the Son as exact counterpart of the Father's substance (Heb 1:3 only)
- ὁμοίωμα — resemblance in external form; emphasizes similarity without identity (Christ in human likeness; Adam as type)
- τύπος — the prefigurative pattern; OT figures/events as types that shape NT reality
- μορφή — inherent essential form; used for Christ's pre-existent divine form (Phl 2:6) and servant form (Phl 2:7)
Key Passages Where Multiple Group Words Appear
- Rom 1:23 — εἰκών + ὁμοίωμα: "changed... into an image [eikōn] made like [homoiōma] to corruptible man"
- Phl 2:6–7 — μορφή + ὁμοίωμα: "in the form [morphē] of God... in the likeness [homoiōma] of men"
- Heb 10:1 — implicit contrast: σκιά (shadow) vs. εἰκών (true image) — from WG-shadow.md
Generated from: gather_word_group_data.py, gather_word_data.py
Last updated: 2026-04-02