ὑπό
hypó
G5259 preposition
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primary meaning: under, beneath in position. When used as a preposition with the genitive case, indicates agency (by someone), or position below in a metaphorical or physical sense. With the accusative, denotes movement to a place under or beneath something, or refers to a lower status or condition. In some contexts, marks subjection, inferiority, or being under authority or influence. Also used for time, indicating 'during' or 'under the rule of.'
Semantic Range
under (location), beneath, by (agency—especially with verbs in the passive), under the authority of, during the rule of, in subjection to, because of, as a consequence of, to a lower place, in inferiority, covertly, moderately
Root / Etymology
From the root ὑπ-, a basic prepositional stem in Greek, expressing subordination or lower placement. Cognate with other Greek and Indo-European prepositions of similar meaning.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ὑπό primarily denotes a literal position beneath or under. In both literal and figurative contexts, it expands to denote subjection or agency (especially with verbs in the passive voice, where it indicates the agent, usually with the genitive). In the Septuagint, it is frequently used to translate Hebrew prepositions like תַּחַת (taḥat), maintaining the spatial sense but also developing idiomatic uses. In the New Testament and contemporary Koine, ὑπό is widely used in constructions indicating agency ('by someone'), subjection ('under authority'), or lower status ('under sin,' 'under law'). English translations often render ὑπό as 'by' in passive constructions and 'under' or 'beneath' in locative or metaphorical uses; however, this may obscure the variety of relationships expressed in Greek. The semantic range did not significantly shift between the Hellenistic and Roman periods, but increased in abstract and metaphorical uses. ὑπό stands in contrast to other prepositions of agency or position such as διά (denoting means or instrumentality) and ἐπί (on, over).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.
Root Family
ὑπό (hypo) — under, beneath, in subjection to, by (agency)
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5259-03 |
ὑπὸ | upo | PREP GEN |
by | under; by | 187 |
G5259-01 |
ὑπ’ | up | PREP GEN |
by | by | 25 |
G5259-02 |
ὑφ’ | uph | PREP GEN |
by | by | 9 |
Occurrences in Scripture
221 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5259-03 |
Matthew 1:22 | ὑπὸ | upo | PREP GEN |
by | under; by |
G5259-03 |
Matthew 2:15 | ὑπὸ | upo | PREP GEN |
by | under; by |
G5259-03 |
Matthew 2:16 | ὑπὸ | upo | PREP GEN |
by | under; by |
G5259-01 |
Matthew 3:6 | ὑπ’ | up | PREP GEN |
by | by |
G5259-01 |
Matthew 3:13 | ὑπ’ | up | PREP GEN |
by | |
G5259-03 |
Matthew 3:14 | ὑπὸ | upo | PREP GEN |
under; by | |
G5259-03 |
Matthew 4:1 | ὑπὸ | upo | PREP GEN |
under; by | |
G5259-03 |
Matthew 4:1 | ὑπὸ | upo-2 | PREP GEN |
under; by | |
G5259-03 |
Matthew 5:13 | ὑπὸ | upo | PREP GEN |
under; by | |
G5259-03 |
Matthew 5:15 | ὑπὸ | upo | PREP ACC |
under; by |