ὑπέχω (G5254) — Greek Lexicon

ὑπέχω

hypéchō

G5254 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To undergo or bear up under (something), specifically to endure or suffer (often difficult circumstances or afflictions); in extended contexts, to tolerate, submit to, or withstand with perseverance. The core meaning involves holding oneself beneath a burden, and by extension, patiently enduring hardship or unpleasant experiences.

Semantic Range

to endure, to suffer, to bear up under, to withstand, to submit to, to tolerate, to be subjected to

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ὑπό (under) and the verb ἔχω (to have, to hold); thus, literally 'to hold oneself under' or 'to be subjected to.' The word reflects a sense of maintaining one's condition or position beneath some kind of pressure or burden.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὑπέχω originally described a literal or metaphorical position beneath something, such as 'supporting' or 'holding up' a structure or weight. Over time, particularly in Hellenistic and Koine usage, it developed the sense of enduring or bearing up under adversity, affliction, or hardship. In apocryphal and New Testament texts, ὑπέχω most often refers to suffering, especially in contexts implying patient endurance or passive submission to difficulties. The verb does not inherently imply a positive or noble attitude toward suffering but focuses on the act of remaining under pressure. English translations often render it as 'suffer,' 'endure,' or 'bear,' but these may lose the nuance of submission implicit in the prefix ὑπό. Its use is distinct from πάσχω (to suffer), which generally refers to experiencing something (good or bad), while ὑπέχω connotes more the enduring or bearing up under a burden. Attested in both secular and religious writings; the nuance may shift depending on the nature of what is 'held under.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑπό and ἔχω; to hold oneself under, i.e. endure with patience:--suffer.

Root Family

ὑπ-ἐχ- (hypéchō) — to hold under, to bear, to endure

Root ὑπ-ἐχ- to hold under, to bear, to endure

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5254-01`	ὑπέχουσαι	upechousai	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F PL`	undergoing	bearing up under	undergoing	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5254-01`	Jude 1:7	ὑπέχουσαι	upechousai	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F PL`	undergoing	bearing up under	undergoing

← G5253 Greek Lexicon G5255 →