ὑποστρώννυμι (G5291) — Greek Lexicon

ὑποστρώννυμι

hypostrṓnnymi

G5291 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To spread or strew beneath, especially referring to laying a garment, cloak, or other material under someone's feet or along a pathway, commonly as a gesture of honor or preparation; in a broader sense, to put down a covering beneath someone or something.

Semantic Range

to spread beneath the feet, to strew as a carpet or covering, to lay down a garment or cloak under someone, to furnish or prepare a path

Root / Etymology

Compound of ὑπό ('under') and στρώννυμι ('to spread, to strew'); thus, 'to spread under/beneath.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

ὑποστρώννυμι appears primarily in Koine Greek sources, notably in the Synoptic Gospels (e.g., Mark 11:8; Matthew 21:8; Luke 19:36), describing people spreading garments or branches on the road for someone of honor, typically during a festive or ceremonially significant entry (e.g., Jesus' entry into Jerusalem). This act resonates with Hellenistic and Near Eastern customs of welcoming dignitaries by preparing or honoring their path. The word focuses on the physical act of spreading a material underfoot, rather than on symbolic or ritual significance itself. In the LXX and extrabiblical usage, στρώννυμι by itself is more general ('to spread, strew, furnish'), whereas the compound with ὑπό specifies the act of placing beneath. Most English translations render this as 'spread' or 'strew under,' but may not convey the honorific custom implied. The term is rare and context-specific, and was not significantly used in classical Greek; its nuances are developed within later Hellenistic and Koine usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑπό and στρώννυμι; to strew underneath (the feet as a carpet):--spread.

Root Family

ὑποστρώννυμι (hypostrōnnymi) — to spread, to strew, to lay beneath, to furnish

Root στρώννυμι to spread, to strew, to furnish

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5291-01`	ὑπεστρώννυον	upestronnuon	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	they were spreading	they were spreading beneath	they were spreading beneath	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5291-01`	Luke 19:36	ὑπεστρώννυον	upestronnuon	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	they were spreading	they were spreading beneath	they were spreading beneath

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