ὑπερηφανία
hyperēphanía
G5243 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State or quality of being arrogant, haughty, or presumptuous; pridefulness characterized by an attitude of superiority or self-exaltation. The term primarily denotes the disposition or mindset of holding oneself above others, especially in a way that disregards appropriate reverence or proper boundaries. Contextually, it can refer to sinful pride, an inflated sense of one's own importance, or contemptuous disregard for others.
Semantic Range
arrogance, haughtiness, presumptuousness, overweening pride, a disposition of contemptuous self-elevation, sinful pride, disregard for proper limits or reverence
Root / Etymology
From ὑπερήφανος (hyperēphanos, 'arrogant, proud'), itself formed from ὑπέρ (hyper, 'above, over') + φαίνω (phaino, 'to appear, to show oneself'). The suffix -ία indicates a quality or state. Thus, ὑπερηφανία is the abstract noun denoting the state or condition of being ὑπερήφανος.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ὑπερηφανία is attested as early as the Hellenistic period, often with the sense of overbearing pride or arrogant self-assertion that sets a person above others or even above the gods. In the Septuagint, ὑπερηφανία is used to translate various Hebrew terms for arrogance or pride in a negative moral sense. In the New Testament, the word consistently carries a negative evaluation, describing the vice of arrogantly exalting oneself, often associated with behavior that is opposed to humility or reverence toward God (cf. Mark 7:22). English translations frequently render the term as 'pride,' 'arrogance,' or 'haughtiness,' though these may not fully capture the sense of presumptuous self-exaltation or the implied disregard for proper authority or social boundaries. In philosophical and ethical contexts contemporary with the New Testament, ὑπερηφανία was often a grave moral fault, contrasted with virtues such as humility (ταπεινοφροσύνη). It is not a neutral term; it always denotes a negative, blameworthy characteristic.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὑπερήφανος; haughtiness:--pride.
Root Family
ὑπερηφανία (hyperēphania) — arrogance, haughtiness, presumptuous pride, self-exaltation
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5243-01 |
ὑπερηφανία | uperephania | N NOM F SG |
pride | self-exalting arrogance | self-exalting arrogance | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5243-01 |
Mark 7:22 | ὑπερηφανία | uperephania | N NOM F SG |
pride | self-exalting arrogance | self-exalting arrogance |