ὑποστέλλω (G5288) — Greek Lexicon

ὑποστέλλω

hypostéllō

G5288 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To draw back, to shrink or retreat, especially in the face of adversity, danger, or disapproval; by extension, to hold oneself in reserve, act with caution, or conceal one's true intentions or actions. The verb often carries a nuance of restraint or avoiding visibility, either literally (withdraw from sight) or figuratively (hesitate, refrain, or withhold).

Semantic Range

to draw back, shrink with fear or caution, hold oneself in reserve, withdraw from action or association, refrain from openly engaging, conceal one's actions or intentions, act with timidity or hesitation

Root / Etymology

From ὑπό ('under, beneath') and στέλλω ('to send, dispatch, draw up, set in order'). The compound suggests the action of withdrawing oneself under or beneath something, thus implying drawing back or holding in reserve. Related compounds include ἀναστέλλω ('to raise up'), ἐπιστέλλω ('to send to'), and others derived from στέλλω.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὑποστέλλω is rare and generally means 'to draw in under' or 'reduce, diminish.' In Hellenistic Greek, especially in moral, rhetorical, and philosophical literature, the term comes to mean 'to shrink back' or 'to hold back (oneself)' from action, often in the face of danger or out of excessive caution. In the Septuagint and New Testament (e.g., Galatians 2:12, Hebrews 10:38), ὑποστέλλω commonly refers to drawing back or shrinking away, not merely physically withdrawing but potentially acting with undue timidity, fear, or self-preservation. English translations sometimes render the verb as 'shrink,' 'draw back,' or 'hold back,' but these may not capture the underlying notion of restraint or avoidance. It is not a general word for physical retreat but carries a sense of reluctance or hesitancy often prompted by external factors. The noun ὑποστολή (hypostolē) has a related meaning of 'shrinking back' or 'timidity.' The semantic range in Koine reflects broader developments in personal and communal behavior, especially where social or religious pressure is implied. Contrast with ἀνδρίζομαι ('to show courage'), which expresses the opposite disposition.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑπό and στέλλω; to withhold under (out of sight), i.e. (reflexively) to cower or shrink, (figuratively) to conceal (reserve):--draw (keep) back, shun, withdraw.

Root Family

ὑποστέλλω (hypostellō) — draw back, shrink, withdraw, hold in reserve

Root στελλ- to draw back, to shrink, to withdraw

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5288-01`	ὑπεστειλάμην	upesteilamen	`V AOR MID IND 1P SG`	I shrank	I drew myself back	I drew myself back	2
`G5288-03`	ὑποστείληται	uposteiletai	`V AOR MID SUBJ 3P SG`	he shrinks back	should draw himself back	should draw himself back	1
`G5288-02`	ὑπέστελλεν	upestellen	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	he withdrew	he was drawing back	he was drawing back	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5288-01`	Acts 20:20	ὑπεστειλάμην	upesteilamen	`V AOR MID IND 1P SG`	I shrank	I drew myself back	I drew myself back
`G5288-01`	Acts 20:27	ὑπεστειλάμην	upesteilamen	`V AOR MID IND 1P SG`	I shrank	I drew myself back	I drew myself back
`G5288-02`	Galatians 2:12	ὑπέστελλεν	upestellen	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	he withdrew	he was drawing back	he was drawing back
`G5288-03`	Hebrews 10:38	ὑποστείληται	uposteiletai	`V AOR MID SUBJ 3P SG`	he shrinks back	should draw himself back	should draw himself back

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