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ὑπόδημα

hypódēma

G5266 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A binding or fastening placed under the foot; typically, a sandal or shoe made of sole material secured to the foot by straps or laces. Primarily denotes the simplest form of footwear, most often a sandal, particularly in Greco-Roman and Near Eastern contexts. Can also refer generally to medium for protecting the feet, sometimes metaphorically for ordinary footwear as part of daily dress.

Semantic Range

sandal, shoe, sole fastened by straps, simple footwear, foot covering

Root / Etymology

From ὑποδέω ('to bind under' or 'to tie underneath'); compound of ὑπό ('under') and δέω ('to bind').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὑπόδημα denotes a sole or sandal tied under the foot, distinct from more elaborate footwear such as boots (κόθορνος) or shoes for ceremonial occasions. In the LXX and New Testament, it most often describes everyday footwear, worn by both men and women, and regularly appears in contexts where the untying or removal of a sandal has ritual or social significance (e.g., as a gesture of humility or servitude). The term is used in Mark 1:7, Luke 3:16, etc., typically referencing the act of loosening or carrying the ὑπόδημα as a sign of inferior social status. The translation as 'shoe' or 'sandal' captures the practical sense, though 'sandal' is often more specific to the simple, open design described. The word is not loaded with symbolic meaning outside such rituals but reflects common Greco-Roman and Judean everyday attire.

Translation Consistency

primary "sandal" 10 occurrences

The SILEX range and usage point to simple strapped footwear; most English renderings in the P2 set are 'sandals.' 'Sandal' is the natural, specific term for the typical Greco‑Roman/Near Eastern foot covering (can be pluralized as needed), and better captures the usual meaning here than the broader 'shoe.'

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑποδέω; something bound under the feet, i.e. a shoe or sandal:--shoe.

Root Family

ὑπόδημα (hypodēma) — to bind under, to fasten beneath, sandal, simple footwear

Root ὑποδη- to bind under, to fasten beneath

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5266-02 ὑποδήματα upodemata N ACC N PL shoes sandals sandals 4
G5266-03 ὑποδημάτων upodematon N GEN N PL sandals of bound-under sandals sandals 3
G5266-01 ὑπόδημα upodema N ACC N SG sandal a bound-under sandal a bound-under sandal 2
G5266-04 ὑποδήματος upodematos N GEN N SG sandal of a bound-under sandal of a bound-under sandal 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5266-02 Matthew 3:11 ὑποδήματα upodemata N ACC N PL sandals sandals sandals
G5266-02 Matthew 10:10 ὑποδήματα upodemata N ACC N PL shoes sandals sandals
G5266-03 Mark 1:7 ὑποδημάτων upodematon N GEN N PL sandals of bound-under sandals sandals
G5266-03 Luke 3:16 ὑποδημάτων upodematon N GEN N PL sandals of bound-under sandals sandals
G5266-02 Luke 10:4 ὑποδήματα upodemata N ACC N PL shoes sandals sandals
G5266-02 Luke 15:22 ὑποδήματα upodemata N ACC N PL shoes sandals sandals
G5266-03 Luke 22:35 ὑποδημάτων upodematon N GEN N PL shoes of bound-under sandals sandals
G5266-04 John 1:27 ὑποδήματος upodematos N GEN N SG sandal of a bound-under sandal of a bound-under sandal
G5266-01 Acts 7:33 ὑπόδημα upodema N ACC N SG sandal a bound-under sandal a bound-under sandal
G5266-01 Acts 13:25 ὑπόδημα upodema N ACC N SG sandal a bound-under sandal a bound-under sandal
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