ὑπερβάλλω (G5235) — Greek Lexicon

ὑπερβάλλω

hyperbállō

G5235 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To surpass, to go beyond a set limit or standard; to exceed boundaries in an intense or remarkable way, either literally (to go further than a predefined marker) or, more commonly in Hellenistic and Koine usage, figuratively (to outstrip, to excel or be remarkable in quality, measure, or degree). In contextual usage, often denotes an exceptional degree, surpassing normal expectations or standards.

Semantic Range

to surpass, to excel, to exceed abundantly, to go beyond a standard or limit, to outstrip, to transcend

Root / Etymology

Formed from the preposition ὑπέρ ('over, beyond') and the verb βάλλω ('to throw, cast, put'), thus meaning 'to throw beyond'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb ὑπερβάλλω appears rarely in classical Greek but becomes more frequent in Hellenistic Greek in both literal and metaphorical senses. In classical contexts it can denote physically surpassing a boundary or exceeding a mark. In later Greek, especially the New Testament and post-classical literature, figurative uses predominate, emphasizing extraordinary degree or abundance (e.g., ὑπερβάλλουσα δύναμις, 'surpassing power' in 2 Corinthians 4:7). The participial forms (especially ὑπερβάλλον or ὑπερβαλλόντως) are often used as adverbs or adjectives meaning 'exceedingly' or 'surpassingly'. English translations typically render this as 'exceed', 'surpass', 'excel', but these do not always convey the extreme or extraordinary quality implied by the Greek. The term is related to, but stronger than, compounds with περι- ('around, beyond'), stressing a more forceful transcendence. Related terms: ὑπερβολή (hyperbolē, 'excess, hyperbole'), the noun form, carries the idea of excess or going beyond as well. The standard English rendering sometimes fails to capture the connotation of 'extraordinary' or 'superlative' excess present in the Greek.

Translation Consistency

primary "surpass" 5 occurrences

“Surpass” is the most natural, common English verb that captures the typical Koine/Hellenistic sense of ὑπερβάλλω—going beyond a limit, excelling, or exceeding in degree. It fits both literal and figurative uses, matches the attested renderings (e.g. “surpassing”), and will produce idiomatic English across all inflected forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑπέρ and βάλλω; to throw beyod the usual mark, i.e. (figuratively) to surpass (only active participle supereminent):--exceeding, excel, pass.

Root Family

ὑπερβάλλω (hyperballō) — to throw beyond, to surpass, to excel

Root ὑπερβαλλ- to throw beyond, to surpass, to excel

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5235-01`	ὑπερβάλλον	uperballon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM N SG`	exceeding	that which surpasses	surpassing	2
`G5235-02`	ὑπερβάλλουσαν	uperballousan	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC F SG`	surpassing	surpassing	surpassing	2
`G5235-03`	ὑπερβαλλούσης	uperballouses	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN F SG`	that surpasses	of surpassing	surpassing	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5235-03`	2 Corinthians 3:10	ὑπερβαλλούσης	uperballouses	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN F SG`	that surpasses	of surpassing	surpassing
`G5235-02`	2 Corinthians 9:14	ὑπερβάλλουσαν	uperballousan	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC F SG`	surpassing	surpassing	surpassing
`G5235-01`	Ephesians 1:19	ὑπερβάλλον	uperballon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM N SG`	exceeding	that which surpasses	surpassing
`G5235-01`	Ephesians 2:7	ὑπερβάλλον	uperballon	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N SG`	surpassing	that which surpasses	surpassing
`G5235-02`	Ephesians 3:19	ὑπερβάλλουσαν	uperballousan	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC F SG`	which surpasses	surpassing	surpassing

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