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ὕβρις

hýbris

G5196 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ὑβρ- to act with arrogant pride, to abuse, to offend

Definition

An act or attitude of arrogance that manifests in outrageous behavior, specifically violence, insult, or excessive pride toward others; broadly, any action or speech expressing contempt, disdain, or abusive treatment. Also refers to the results or consequences of such behavior, including physical harm or affront to honor and social standing.

Semantic Range

insolence, arrogance, wanton violence, abusive behavior, physical harm arising from arrogance, insult, affront, outrage, injury

Root / Etymology

ὕβρις derives from the Greek root ὑβρ-, related to the notion of going 'beyond measure' or 'exceeding bounds.' The term is sometimes linked to ὑπέρ ('over, above') but is not a direct compound of that preposition. The etymology is ultimately uncertain and pre-Greek forms have been suggested.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ὕβρις characterized not only verbal insult (reproach, affront) but especially acts of violence and wanton aggression driven by excessive pride or contempt for restraint—often seen as punishment-worthy transgression. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, this sense of arrogant abuse or physical mistreatment persisted, covering a broader range of injuries (physical, social, and moral). In legal and rhetorical Greek, ὕβρις is contrasted with δίκη ('justice') or σωφροσύνη ('restraint, moderation') and often describes behaviors that threaten the order of the community. In the Septuagint and New Testament, ὕβρις is rare but retains its sense of insolence, violent abuse, or willful harm—whether toward humans, society, or the divine. Later English translations often narrow the sense to 'insult' or 'injury,' but the classical range also includes violent outrage and excessive self-assertion. The term does not simply mean 'harm' but connotes actions that violate social or moral boundaries through arrogance or abusive behavior.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑπέρ; insolence (as over-bearing), i.e. insult, injury:--harm, hurt, reproach.

Root Family

ὕβρις (hybris) — arrogant pride, insolence, abusive outrage, injurious contempt

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5196-03 ὕβριν ubrin N ACC F SG harm insolent outrage harm 1
G5196-01 ὕβρεως ubreos N GEN F SG hurt of arrogant outrage of arrogant outrage 1
G5196-02 ὕβρεσιν ubresin N DAT F PL insults to arrogant outrages outrages 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5196-01 Acts 27:10 ὕβρεως ubreos N GEN F SG hurt of arrogant outrage of arrogant outrage
G5196-03 Acts 27:21 ὕβριν ubrin N ACC F SG harm insolent outrage harm
G5196-02 2 Corinthians 12:10 ὕβρεσιν ubresin N DAT F PL insults to arrogant outrages outrages
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