ὕψιστος
hýpsistos
G5310 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Superlative adjective meaning 'highest' or 'most high.' Primarily denotes something or someone occupying the greatest height or the supreme position within a hierarchy. In religious, literary, and poetic contexts, used as a title or designation for the supreme deity ('the Most High'), or for the highest places (such as the heavens). The sense can be literal (the greatest elevation) or figurative (supreme in rank, status, or holiness).
Semantic Range
highest in position or status, most high (as divine title), the highest places or heavens, occupying a supreme place; supreme (figurative); tallest (literal physical sense)
Root / Etymology
From the adjective ὑψηλός ('high, lofty'), itself derived from the noun ὕψος ('height, high place'), plus the superlative suffix -ιστος, meaning 'most' or 'highest.' Thus, ὕψιστος literally means 'most high' or 'highest.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὕψιστος appears in classical Greek as the regular superlative form of 'high,' with both literal (physical height) and figurative applications. In the Septuagint, it is frequently used as a title for Israel’s God, rendering Hebrew עֶלְיוֹן (ʿelyôn, 'Most High'). In Second Temple Jewish and early Christian literature (including the New Testament), ὕψιστος becomes a reverential or titular name for the God of Israel/Judea, often used with the definite article ('ὁ ὕψιστος') or in phrases like 'the power of the Most High.' The term emphasizes supremacy and transcendence. Standard English translations render ὕψιστος as 'Most High' (especially in reference to God), but the word itself is not inherently a proper name; it retains its adjectival force. In plural or neuter forms it refers to the highest places, frequently identified with 'the heavens.' In non-religious or secular Greek, it can describe mountains, officials, or anything at the top extremity. Its religious titular usage never eclipses its broader adjectival sense in contemporary Greek texts, but in Jewish-Greek and Christian usage, it may function almost as a divine title. There is overlap but also distinction with other divine epithets and with terms denoting height or exaltation (e.g., ὑψηλός, ὑπερύψως).
Translation Consistency
ὕψιστος is predominantly used as a superlative title meaning ‘the supreme/most high’ (especially of God) and also carries the literal sense ‘highest.’ “Most High” is the natural, widely understood English rendering that captures both the divine title and the general superlative/height sense, so it provides a consistent, idiomatic choice for all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
superlative from the base of ὕψος; highest, i.e. (masculine singular) the Supreme (God), or (neuter plural) the heavens:--most high, highest.
Root Family
ὕψιστος (hýpsistos) — highest, most high, supreme, most elevated, most exalted
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5310-03 |
Ὑψίστου | upsistou | ADJ.S GEN M SG |
Most High | of the Most High | of the Most High | 8 |
G5310-01 |
ὑψίστοις | upsistois | ADJ.A DAT N PL SUPL |
highest | to the highest places | highest places | 4 |
G5310-02 |
Ὕψιστος | upsistos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
Most High | the Most High | Most High | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
13 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5310-01 |
Matthew 21:9 | ὑψίστοις | upsistois | ADJ.A DAT N PL SUPL |
highest | to the highest places | highest places |
G5310-03 |
Mark 5:7 | Ὑψίστου | upsistou | ADJ.S GEN M SG |
Most High | of the Most High | of the Most High |
G5310-01 |
Mark 11:10 | ὑψίστοις | upsistois | ADJ.A DAT N PL SUPL |
highest | to the highest places | highest places |
G5310-03 |
Luke 1:32 | Ὑψίστου | upsistou | ADJ.S GEN M SG |
of the Most High | of the Most High | of the Most High |
G5310-03 |
Luke 1:35 | Ὑψίστου | upsistou | ADJ.S GEN M SG |
of the Most High | of the Most High | of the Most High |
G5310-03 |
Luke 1:76 | Ὑψίστου | upsistou | ADJ.S GEN M SG |
of the Most High | of the Most High | of the Most High |
G5310-01 |
Luke 2:14 | ὑψίστοις | upsistois | ADJ.S DAT N PL |
the highest | to the highest places | the highest places |
G5310-03 |
Luke 6:35 | Ὑψίστου | upsistou | ADJ.S GEN M SG |
of the Most High | of the Most High | of the Most High |
G5310-03 |
Luke 8:28 | Ὑψίστου | upsistou | ADJ.S GEN M SG |
Most High | of the Most High | of the Most High |
G5310-01 |
Luke 19:38 | ὑψίστοις | upsistois | ADJ.S DAT N PL |
the highest | to the highest places | in the highest places |