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ὑπόστασις

hypóstasis

G5287 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primary meaning: that which stands under; foundation; substructure. In broader contexts: the underlying reality or essence of something in contrast to its outer or apparent form. In Hellenistic and philosophical literature, used for essential nature, real being, or substance. In documentary usage (especially papyri): legal standing, property, or title-deed. In certain literary Christian contexts (notably Hebrews), denotes confident assurance, firmness, or conviction.

Semantic Range

foundation, substructure, sediment; underlying reality, actual being, essence, substance, legal standing, property, title-deed, assurance, confidence, steadfastness

Root / Etymology

From ὑπό (under) and στάσις (a standing, from ἵστημι 'to stand'), hence 'a standing under' or 'support.' Originally a concrete term, later used figuratively and philosophically.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὑπόστασις referred to an underlying foundation, sediment, or base. By the Hellenistic period, in philosophical writings (esp. Stoic and later Platonist), it described underlying reality as opposed to appearance — what truly 'stands under' phenomena. In documentary papyri, it frequently denotes a legal basis or title-deed (e.g., 'property' or 'guarantee'). In the Septuagint and early Christian texts, the term shifts toward 'assurance,' 'confidence,' or 'steadfastness,' especially in Hebrews 1:3 (the underlying reality or essential being of a thing) and Hebrews 11:1 (confidence or assurance). Only rarely does it reflect the English 'person.' English translations such as 'substance,' 'assurance,' or 'confidence' vary by context, and may not fully capture the technical or philosophical nuance. The term later becomes important in Christian theological vocabulary (e.g., describing 'persons' of the Trinity), but this specialized usage is a post-NT development and not present in Koine literary or documentary sources.

Translation Consistency

primary "substance" 1 occurrence

'Substance' best captures the primary idea of 'that which stands under'—the underlying reality, essence, or foundation—while still fitting later senses (assurance/firmness as 'realness' or 'substance') and is a natural, widely attested English rendering.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"underlying reality" (4x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of ὑπό and ἵστημι; a setting under (support), i.e. (figuratively) concretely, essence, or abstractly, assurance (objectively or subjectively):--confidence, confident, person, substance.

Root Family

ὑπό-στασις (hypóstasis) — to stand under, to support, to provide a basis

Root ὑπό-στασις to stand under, to support, to provide a basis

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5287-01 ὑποστάσει upostasei N DAT F SG confidence to the underlying reality underlying reality 2
G5287-02 ὑποστάσεως upostaseos N GEN F SG assurance of the underlying reality of the underlying reality 2
G5287-03 ὑπόστασις upostasis N NOM F SG assurance underlying substance underlying substance 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5287-01 2 Corinthians 9:4 ὑποστάσει upostasei N DAT F SG confidence to the underlying reality underlying reality
G5287-01 2 Corinthians 11:17 ὑποστάσει upostasei N DAT F SG confidence to the underlying reality underlying reality
G5287-02 Hebrews 1:3 ὑποστάσεως upostaseos N GEN F SG nature of the underlying reality of the underlying reality
G5287-02 Hebrews 3:14 ὑποστάσεως upostaseos N GEN F SG assurance of the underlying reality of the underlying reality
G5287-03 Hebrews 11:1 ὑπόστασις upostasis N NOM F SG assurance underlying substance underlying substance
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