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ὑπάρχω

hypárchō

G5225 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To exist, to be present, to be; in certain contexts, to possess or have at one’s disposal (especially with reference to property or conditions); also, to begin or originate. The primary sense is an existent or present state, distinguished from a notional or hypothetical one; by extension, denotes the act or state of having, possessing, or being situated (in a place or condition).

Semantic Range

to exist, to be (actually present), to possess, to be at hand, to be in a state or condition, to be found (in a place), to begin, to originate

Root / Etymology

From ὑπό ('under') + ἄρχω ('to begin, to rule'); literally 'to begin under' or 'to exist under,' indicating a foundational or underlying state of being or existence.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὑπάρχω frequently denotes 'to begin' or 'to originate,' sometimes intransitively ('to commence' or 'to come into being'); over time, especially in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, its primary usage shifts toward 'to exist,' 'to be present,' or 'to be at hand,' often in contrast to non-being or absence. In the New Testament and the Septuagint, ὑπάρχω is commonly used with the meaning 'to be' or 'to exist,' sometimes with the nuance of possessing characteristic qualities (e.g., 'being rich,' 'being poor'), or indicating one's property ('possessions'). It can function in philosophical, existential, or practical contexts, distinguishing actual existence from theoretical or potential states. In contrast to εἰμί (the simple 'to be'), which denotes basic existence or identity, ὑπάρχω often implies an existent, effective reality—sometimes referring to something present or available for action or experience. Standard English translations usually render it as 'to be,' 'to exist,' 'to possess,' or 'to have,' though the nuance in Greek may be subtler. Cognate terms like ὑπάρχοντα ('possessions, resources') reflect this semantic development. Usage in documentary papyri and secular literature further confirms its range from existential reality to ownership and status.

Translation Consistency

primary "be" 7 occurrences

The primary sense of ὑπάρχω is existence/presence and state—best rendered by the simple, versatile verb “be.” “Be” naturally covers existence, presence, and condition across tenses and voices; it is the most common and natural English equivalent for the word’s typical usage, while rarer senses (possess/begin) are secondary and can be handled by context or phrasing.

Alternatives (52 occurrences):
"being" (20x) "things being" (10x) "those who are" (6x) "possessions" (5x) "present" (3x) "was" (2x) "existing" (2x) "owned by" (1x) "were" (1x) "are" (1x) "is" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑπό and ἄρχομαι; to begin under (quietly), i.e. come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, participle, adverb or preposition, or as an auxiliary to a principal (verb):--after, behave, live.

Root Family

ὑπάρχω (hyparchō) — to exist, to be present, to possess, to have

Root ὑπ-ἀρχ- to exist, to be present, to possess, to have

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5225-03 ὑπάρχων uparchon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG being existing being 15
G5225-04 ὑπάρχοντα uparchonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N PL possessions existing things the things being 8
G5225-02 ὑπάρχειν uparchein V PRS ACT INF to be to exist to be 6
G5225-06 ὑπάρχοντες uparchontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL being existing ones those who are 6
G5225-07 ὑπαρχόντων uparchonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN N PL possessions of the existing things possessions 5
G5225-12 ὑπῆρχεν uperchen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG was was existing was 5
G5225-11 ὑπάρχουσιν uparchousin V PRS ACT PTCP DAT N PL possessions to existing things possessions 4
G5225-01 ὑπάρχει uparchei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG is is present is present 3
G5225-08 ὑπάρχοντος uparchontos V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG being of the one existing of the one being 3
G5225-13 ὑπῆρχον uperchon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they were they were present they were present 2

Occurrences in Scripture

60 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5225-04 Matthew 19:21 ὑπάρχοντα uparchonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N PL possessions existing things the things being
G5225-11 Matthew 24:47 ὑπάρχουσιν uparchousin V PRS ACT PTCP DAT N PL he has to existing things to the things being
G5225-04 Matthew 25:14 ὑπάρχοντα uparchonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N PL possessions existing things the things being
G5225-06 Luke 7:25 ὑπάρχοντες uparchontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL are existing ones those who are
G5225-07 Luke 8:3 ὑπαρχόντων uparchonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN N PL possessions of the existing things possessions
G5225-12 Luke 8:41 ὑπῆρχεν uperchen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG was was existing was
G5225-03 Luke 9:48 ὑπάρχων uparchon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG being existing being
G5225-06 Luke 11:13 ὑπάρχοντες uparchontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL being existing ones those who are
G5225-04 Luke 11:21 ὑπάρχοντα uparchonta V PRS ACT PTCP NOM N PL possessions existing things the things being
G5225-07 Luke 12:15 ὑπαρχόντων uparchonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN N PL possessions of the existing things possessions
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