ὑπολείπω
hypoleípō
G5275 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to leave behind, to cause to remain after others have departed, especially in the context of surviving or being left as a remainder. Used both in an active sense (to leave something or someone behind) and a passive sense (to be left over, to survive after others).
Semantic Range
to leave behind, to be left over, to cause to remain, to survive, to be left as a remainder or remnant
Root / Etymology
Formed from the preposition ὑπό ('under, beneath, after') and λείπω ('to leave, to abandon'). Related to λείπω, denoting 'to leave.' Unrelated to ὑποτρέχω, which is a separate compound. The formation here indicates a basic sense of 'leave after, leave remaining.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὑπολείπω is rare in classical Greek but attested; more common in Hellenistic and Koine periods, particularly in Jewish-Greek texts (e.g., the Septuagint) for rendering Hebrew terms meaning 'to remain' or 'to be left over.' In the New Testament, the verb nearly always occurs in the passive or middle voice, denoting 'to be left' or 'to survive' after an event (e.g., after judgment or exile), echoing Hebrew idiom. The term can refer to individuals, groups, or remnants that remain after others have gone or been removed. English translations often obscure the passivity or remnant nuance, rendering it simply as 'remain' or 'be left' or 'survive,' but the Greek has a particular sense rooted in the idea of a residue or leftover. Distinguished from ἀπολείπω (to leave apart, forsake), ἐγκαταλείπω (to abandon completely), and λοιπός (the rest, remaining). In many cases in the Septuagint and New Testament (e.g., Rom 11:3), it reflects the theological and social concept of the 'remnant.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὑποτρέχω and λείπω; to leave under (behind), i.e. (passively) to remain (survive):--be left.
Root Family
ὑπολείπω (hypoleipō) — to leave, to abandon, to remain, to survive
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5275-01 |
ὑπελείφθην | upeleiphthen | V AOR PASS IND 1P SG |
I-was-left | I was left behind | 1 |
G5275-02 |
ὑπολιμπάνων | upolimpanon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
leaving | one leaving behind | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5275-01 |
Romans 11:3 | ὑπελείφθην | upeleiphthen | V AOR PASS IND 1P SG |
I-was-left | I was left behind |
G5275-02 |
1 Peter 2:21 | ὑπολιμπάνων | upolimpanon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
leaving | one leaving behind |