ὕψος
hýpsos
G5311 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or condition of being high or raised; height, elevation, or a high place (physical or metaphorical). In some contexts, it refers concretely to a high point, summit, or upper region (such as the sky or heavens), while in others it denotes an abstract sense of exalted status, dignity, nobility, or preeminence. The word can also refer to pride or arrogance, when used in moral or ethical contexts.
Semantic Range
height, high place, elevated status, dignity, loftiness, sublimity, pride, the sky, exalted position
Root / Etymology
From the root ὑψ-, related to ὕψι ('on high', 'aloft'), and ultimately connected to the Greek preposition ὑπέρ ('over, above'). It is a noun form denoting quality or state derived from the base meaning 'high'. No evidence of borrowing; standard Greek formation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὕψος appears in both classical and Koine Greek literature, including the Septuagint and the New Testament. In classical texts, it most often denotes literal or physical height or the uppermost point. In philosophical or rhetorical works (e.g., Longinus, 'On the Sublime'), it can refer to sublimity or loftiness in style or thought. In the Septuagint, it commonly translates Hebrew terms for heights, heights of heaven, or lofty places, sometimes with cultic overtones (e.g., places of worship on high places). In the New Testament (e.g., Eph 3:18, Luke 1:78), it is used both for physical height and metaphorically for exalted position, often conveying divine majesty or transcendence. English translations sometimes render it as 'height,' 'high,' 'lofty,' or 'exaltation,' but may not fully capture its metaphorical uses related to dignity or pride. The term should be distinguished from synonyms such as οὐρανός (sky, heaven), which is more spatial and concrete, while ὕψος is focused on elevated position or quality, whether spatial, social, or moral. The transfer from literal to metaphorical uses is already evident in Hellenistic literature.
Translation Consistency
ὕψος primarily denotes physical or figurative elevation (a height, high place, the heavens, or elevated status). “Height” is the natural, neutral English noun that covers both concrete elevation and abstract exaltation, and it reads naturally across contexts better than more formal options like “exaltation” or the adjective “high.”
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of ὑπέρ; elevation, i.e. (abstractly) altitude, (specially), the sky, or (figuratively) dignity:--be exalted, height, (on) high.
Root Family
ὑψ- (hyperypsóō) — to raise, to lift, to exalt
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G5251 | ὑπερυψόω | exalted supremely |
| G5310 | ὕψιστος | to the highest places |
| G5312 | ὑψόω | lifting up |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5311-02 |
ὕψος | upsos | N NOM N SG |
height | height | height | 3 |
G5311-03 |
ὕψους | upsous | N GEN N SG |
on high | of height | on high | 2 |
G5311-01 |
ὕψει | upsei | N DAT N SG |
exaltation | in height | exaltation | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5311-03 |
Luke 1:78 | ὕψους | upsous | N GEN N SG |
on high | of height | on high |
G5311-03 |
Luke 24:49 | ὕψους | upsous | N GEN N SG |
on high | of height | on high |
G5311-02 |
Ephesians 3:18 | ὕψος | upsos | N NOM N SG |
height | height | height |
G5311-02 |
Ephesians 4:8 | ὕψος | upsos | N ACC N SG |
high | height | height |
G5311-01 |
James 1:9 | ὕψει | upsei | N DAT N SG |
exaltation | in height | exaltation |
G5311-02 |
Revelation 21:16 | ὕψος | upsos | N NOM N SG |
height | height | height |