ὑπερβαίνω
hyperbaínō
G5233 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cross over, surpass, or transgress; primarily, 'to go beyond' a set point or limit, either physically (to overstep a boundary, to pass beyond) or figuratively (to overstep moral, legal, or social bounds; to violate a command or regulation). In extended senses, can denote transgressing limits established by custom, law, or nature.
Semantic Range
to cross over a boundary, to exceed a limit, to transgress, to go beyond prescribed limits, to overstep rules or laws, to violate an agreement, to surpass a standard
Root / Etymology
Compound: from ὑπέρ (over, above) and βαίνω (to go, to step), meaning literally 'to go beyond' or 'to step over.' The verbal compound construction is common in Koine Greek for intensifying the meaning of the root verb.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Koine and later Greek, ὑπερβαίνω is used both in literal and figurative ways. Literally, it describes crossing over a physical boundary or limit. In figurative usage, especially in legal or moral contexts, it denotes transgressing a law, order, or agreement. In the Greek of the New Testament (notably in 1 Thessalonians 4:6), the term refers to wrongdoing that exceeds established norms or boundaries, often with a connotation of exploitation or violation. The verb is attested in classical Greek (e.g., Herodotus, Xenophon) with similar senses—'to cross over,' 'to exceed,' or 'to transgress.' In Hellenistic legal texts, it often refers to crossing or violating legal limits. English translations often use 'transgress' or 'go beyond,' though neither fully captures the dual literal and figurative dimensions of the term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὑπέρ and the base of βάσις; to transcend, i.e. (figuratively) to overreach:--go beyond.
Root Family
ὑπερβαίν- (hyperbaínō) — to go beyond, to surpass, to overstep
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5233-01 |
ὑπερβαίνειν | uperbainein | V PRS ACT INF |
to transgress | to go beyond | to go beyond | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5233-01 |
1 Thessalonians 4:6 | ὑπερβαίνειν | uperbainein | V PRS ACT INF |
to transgress | to go beyond | to go beyond |