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ὑπερεκτείνω

hyperekteínō

G5239 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To stretch out or extend beyond a limit; to go or reach beyond what is normally expected or permitted. Used especially in the sense of exceeding an established measure, boundary, or norm, either physically (stretching a material) or figuratively (acting beyond what is right, proper, or natural). In the New Testament context, it carries the idea of overreaching, exaggeration, or overextending oneself or something.

Semantic Range

to stretch beyond, to exceed a boundary, to overextend, to go beyond what is permitted or proper, to overreach

Root / Etymology

ὑπέρεκτείνω is a compound of the preposition ὑπέρ ('over, beyond') and the verb ἐκτείνω ('to stretch out, extend'). The combination gives the sense of 'stretching out beyond' or 'overextending.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The word is extremely rare in extant Greek literature, occurring only once in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 10:14) and without attestation in classical Greek sources. The formation is transparent, and while it builds on the established verb ἐκτείνω, the prefix ὑπέρ intensifies the action. In its only New Testament context, Paul uses the term to clarify that he and his colleagues have not 'overstretched' or 'gone beyond' their rightful bounds with respect to influence or authority. English translations often render it 'stretch beyond' or 'overextend,' but these may not fully capture the sense of overreaching limits, whether physical, social, or ethical. The lack of appearances in non-biblical Koine texts suggests it was either an idiosyncratic Pauline usage or a rare coinage, possibly used for rhetorical emphasis. There are other common compounds with ὑπέρ conveying 'over-' or 'beyond' that reinforce this intensified nuance, but no evidence suggests a specialized technical sense.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑπέρ and ἐκτείνω; to extend inordinately:--stretch beyond.

Root Family

ὑπερεκτείνω (hyperekteinō) — to stretch, to extend, to spread out beyond a limit

Root ἐκτειν- to stretch, to extend, to spread out

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5239-01 ὑπερεκτείνομεν uperekteinomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL we overextend we overextend we overextend 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5239-01 2 Corinthians 10:14 ὑπερεκτείνομεν uperekteinomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL we overextend we overextend we overextend
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