τυφόω (G5187) — Greek Lexicon

τυφόω

typhóō

G5187 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To become conceited or puffed up, to be filled with arrogance or pride. In the New Testament, it primarily denotes the state of being haughty, having an exaggerated sense of one's importance or abilities. The term carries the metaphorical sense of being clouded or enveloped, as by smoke, so as not to see things clearly, and thus to be blinded by pride.

Semantic Range

to be puffed up with pride, to become conceited, to be haughty, to be clouded in judgment by arrogance

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb τύφω (to smoke, smolder), from which a denominative form τυφόω develops with a metaphorical sense. Root ultimately relates to the concept of smoke, obscuring vision. The literal meaning "to smoke" is not attested for τυφόω itself in Koine sources; usage is almost exclusively figurative. Connected with the noun τῦφος (smoke, delusion).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, the root τυφ- relates to smoke and fog and is rarely used directly in the sense of mental delusion or pride, though τῦφος (delusion, vanity) is attested. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, τυφόω takes on an almost exclusively figurative sense, indicating the state of mental arrogance or clouded self-importance. In the New Testament (e.g., 1 Timothy 3:6; 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:4), it marks someone whose judgment is impaired by pride, echoing the metaphor of mind clouded by smoke. The standard English translations—"to be conceited," "to be puffed up with pride," "to be high-minded"—appropriately capture the central sense, but risk missing the vivid metaphor of obscured judgment. Related lexemes include τῦφος (delusion) and τυφλός (blind), both drawing on the imagery of obscuration and loss of clear perception. The term is rare in secular Greek and largely distinctive of Jewish and Christian texts of the period, especially in discussing moral faults. No evidence of direct usage for literal smoking or enveloping with smoke in contemporary literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of τύφω; to envelop with smoke, i.e. (figuratively) to inflate with self-conceit:--high-minded, be lifted up with pride, be proud.

Root Family

τυφόω (typhoō) — to smoke, to cloud, to delude, to puff up with pride

Root τυφ- to smoke, to cloud, to be deluded

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5187-02`	τετύφωται	tetuphotai	`V PRF PASS IND 3P SG`	he is puffed up	has been clouded with pride	has been puffed up	1
`G5187-03`	τυφωθεὶς	tuphotheis	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	being puffed up	having been puffed up with pride	having been puffed up with pride	1
`G5187-01`	τετυφωμένοι	tetuphomenoi	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	conceited	having been pride-clouded	having been pride-clouded	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5187-03`	1 Timothy 3:6	τυφωθεὶς	tuphotheis	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	being puffed up	having been puffed up with pride	having been puffed up with pride
`G5187-02`	1 Timothy 6:4	τετύφωται	tetuphotai	`V PRF PASS IND 3P SG`	he is puffed up	has been clouded with pride	has been puffed up
`G5187-01`	2 Timothy 3:4	τετυφωμένοι	tetuphomenoi	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	conceited	having been pride-clouded	having been pride-clouded

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