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ὑστέρησις

hystérēsis

G5304 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Deficiency; the state or condition of lacking what is necessary or desirable. In specific contexts, refers to poverty, lack, insufficiency, or falling short of a standard or expectation. The term can denote material want (e.g., poverty), but more generally any kind of deficiency or shortfall, whether of resources, qualities, or meeting a required standard.

Semantic Range

deficiency, lack, poverty, want, insufficiency, falling short, failure to attain a standard

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb ὑστερέω ('to fall short, lack, come behind'), which comes from the adjective ὕστερος ('later, behind, inferior'). The suffix -σις forms an abstract noun indicating the condition or result of lacking or falling short.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὑστέρησις is rare but is related conceptually to being behind or lacking in something (e.g., in race, rank, or resources). In the Septuagint and New Testament periods, it predominantly denotes material or spiritual lack, such as want, poverty, or deficiency. In Pauline epistles (e.g., 2 Corinthians 8:14), it often refers to financial need or scarcity within community contexts. English translations tend to use 'want', 'lack', or 'poverty', but these may not fully express the abstract aspect of simply falling short or being deficient in some required respect. The term carries nuance beyond material want, encompassing any kind of insufficiency, whether in virtue, resources, or achievement.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑστερέω; a falling short, i.e. (specially), penury:--want.

Root Family

ὑστέρησις (hysterēsis) — deficiency, lack, falling short, insufficiency

Root ὑστερ- to be behind, to lack, to fall short

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5304-02 ὑστέρησιν usteresin N ACC F SG want deficiency deficiency 1
G5304-01 ὑστερήσεως ustereseos N GEN F SG want of deficiency lack 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5304-01 Mark 12:44 ὑστερήσεως ustereseos N GEN F SG want of deficiency lack
G5304-02 Philippians 4:11 ὑστέρησιν usteresin N ACC F SG want deficiency deficiency
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