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ὑποκριτής

hypokritḗs

G5273 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A person who pretends, feigns, or acts out a role; originally, an actor on the stage, one who interprets or recites a part. In transferred use, one who disguises their real intentions or character, a dissembler. In New Testament and later Hellenistic contexts, predominantly refers to someone who outwardly displays virtue or piety that does not reflect their true motives or behavior.

Semantic Range

stage actor, interpreter, pretender, dissembler, one who feigns virtue or piety, a person concealing true motives or character

Root / Etymology

From the verb ὑποκρίνομαι (to answer, to interpret, to play a part), itself from ὑπό (under) + κρίνω (to judge, to separate, to decide). The term originally referred to a stage actor, then developed a metaphorical sense.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ὑποκριτής was a neutral term designating a stage actor—a person delivering lines or assuming a character in a theatrical performance. The word does not originally imply deception; actors were respected as interpreters of poetry and drama. In Hellenistic and Roman Greek, the metaphorical sense—'one who pretends' or 'dissembles'—became prominent outside the theater; in Jewish-Greek and Christian literature (notably the New Testament), ὑποκριτής came to denote someone whose outward religious conduct masks genuine intent or character, typically associated with moral or religious duplicity. Standard English translations as 'hypocrite' capture the later metaphorical sense but do not convey the original theatrical meaning or neutral connotations of earlier usage. In the LXX, the word is rare, but the metaphorical sense is attested in some late Jewish literature. The pejorative force is especially pronounced in the Gospels, where ὑποκριταί are targets of critique for moral insincerity. No direct correspondence to earlier Hebrew terms, but related to biblical ideas of 'double-mindedness' or 'insincere worship.'

Translation Consistency

primary "hypocrite" 18 occurrences

In New Testament usage the primary sense is someone who feigns virtue or conceals true motives; “hypocrite” is the established, natural English word that captures that meaning and is the common translation. While the root can mean ‘actor’ or ‘pretender,’ using “hypocrite” ensures clarity, consistency, and recognizability across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑποκρίνομαι; an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite":--hypocrite.

Root Family

ὑποκριτής (hypokritēs) — to interpret, to play a part, to pretend, to feign

Root ὑποκριν- to interpret, to reply, to play a part, to pretend

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5273-02 ὑποκριταὶ upokritai N NOM M PL hypocrites role-players hypocrites 14
G5273-03 ὑποκριτῶν upokriton N GEN M PL hypocrites of pretenders of hypocrites 2
G5273-01 ὑποκριτά upokrita N VOC M SG hypocrite pretender O hypocrite 2

Occurrences in Scripture

18 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5273-02 Matthew 6:2 ὑποκριταὶ upokritai N NOM M PL hypocrites role-players hypocrites
G5273-02 Matthew 6:5 ὑποκριταί upokritai N NOM M PL hypocrites role-players hypocrites
G5273-02 Matthew 6:16 ὑποκριταὶ upokritai N NOM M PL hypocrites role-players hypocrites
G5273-01 Matthew 7:5 ὑποκριτά upokrita N VOC M SG hypocrite pretender O hypocrite
G5273-02 Matthew 15:7 ὑποκριταί upokritai N VOC M PL hypocrites role-players hypocrites
G5273-02 Matthew 22:18 ὑποκριταί upokritai N VOC M PL hypocrites role-players hypocrites
G5273-02 Matthew 23:13 ὑποκριταί upokritai N VOC M PL hypocrites role-players hypocrites
G5273-02 Matthew 23:14 ὑποκριταί upokritai N VOC M PL hypocrites role-players hypocrites
G5273-02 Matthew 23:15 ὑποκριταί upokritai N VOC M PL hypocrites role-players hypocrites
G5273-02 Matthew 23:23 ὑποκριταί upokritai N VOC M PL hypocrites role-players hypocrites
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