← G5282 G5284 →

ὑπόνοια

hypónoia

G5283 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Thinking beneath the surface; underlying thought, suspicion, or conjecture. Refers to an idea or impression formed by interpreting what is not directly stated, either as an inference about someone’s motives or as a figurative or deeper sense of something (such as a text or action). Core meaning is 'mental inference' or 'conjecture,' with possible negative sense of suspicion or mistrust.

Semantic Range

suspicion, surmise, conjecture, inference, underlying meaning, figurative interpretation, impression

Root / Etymology

From ὑπονοέω (to suppose, conjecture, suspect), itself from ὑπό (under) + νοέω (to think, perceive). The sense carries an idea of 'thinking under'—that is, inferring or perceiving a meaning not explicit on the surface.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ὑπόνοια commonly denotes an underlying thought, a suspicion, or an interpretation that goes beyond the obvious. In rhetorical and literary texts, it may connote suspicion or conjecture regarding a person’s intentions, or the underlying (often figurative or allegorical) meaning of a statement or text. In Koine Greek (including the New Testament and later patristic writings), the term most frequently refers to suspicion or 'surmising,' though it can also indicate a more positive inference or deeper interpretation. Standard English translations as 'suspicion' or 'surmise' capture only part of the meaning; it also includes the general sense of interpretation, conjecture, or underlying meaning. The word is rare in the New Testament but appears in broader Hellenistic literature, often in philosophical or rhetorical contexts to indicate mental inference or suspicion.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑπονοέω; suspicion:--surmising.

Root Family

ὑπόνοια (hypónoia) — suspicion, surmise, conjecture, inference, underlying thought

Root ὑπονο- to suppose, to surmise, to suspect, to infer

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5283-01 ὑπόνοιαι uponoiai N NOM F PL surmisings underlying suspicions underlying suspicions 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5283-01 1 Timothy 6:4 ὑπόνοιαι uponoiai N NOM F PL surmisings underlying suspicions underlying suspicions
← G5282 Greek Lexicon G5284 →