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G5287 ὑπόστασις (hypóstasis)

Greek 📖 Greek Word Study
Noun, Feminine
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Quick Definition

ὑπόστασις, εως, ἡ n.f. assurance, substance, reality

Strong's Definition

a setting under (support), i.e. (figuratively) concretely, essence, or abstractly, assurance (objectively or subjectively)

Derivation: from a compound of G5259 (ὑπό) and G2476 (ἵστημι);

KJV Usage: confidence, confident, person, substance

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

noun, f. | -εως | ἵστημι

58.1 · Nature, Class, Example · Nature, Character

substance, nature, essence, real being the essential or basic nature of an entity In some languages there is no ready lexical equivalent of ‘real being’ or ‘nature.’ Therefore, one may express this concept in HEB 1:3 as ‘who is ... just like what he really is.’

HEB 1:3 · HEB 11:1

31.84 · Hold a View, Believe, Trust · Trust, Rely

trust, confidence, assurance that which provides the basis for trust and reliance

2CO 9:4 · 2CO 11:17 · HEB 3:14 · HEB 11:1

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

ὑπόστασις, -ews, ἡ, (ὑφίστημι), ἃ word very com. in Grk. auth., esp. fr. Aristot. on, in widely different senses, of which only those will be noticed which serve to illustrate N. T. usage; 1. a setting or placing under; thing put under, substructure, foundation: Ps. lxviii. (Ixix.) 3; τοῦ οἴκου, Ezek. xliii. 11; τοῦ τάφου, Diod. 1, 66. 2. that which has foundation, is firm; hence, a. that which has actual existence; a substance, real being: τῶν ἐν ἀέρι φαντασμάτων τὰ μέν ἐστι κατ᾽ ἔμφασιν, τὰ δὲ καθ᾽ ὑπόστασιν, Aristot. de mundo, 4, 19 p. 395%, 80; φαντασίαν μὲν ἔχειν πλούτου, ὑπόστασιν δὲ μή, Artem. oneir. 8, 14; (ἡ αὐγὴ) ὑπόστασιν ἰδίαν οὐκ ἔχει; γεννᾶται δὲ ἐκ φλογός, Philo de incorruptibil. mundi § 18; similarly in other writ. [ef. Soph. Lex. s.v. 5; L. and S. s. v. III. 2]. b. the substantial quality, nature, of any pers. or thing: τοῦ θεοῦ [R. V. substance], Heb. i. 3 (Sap. xvi. 21; te... τίνος ὑποστάσεως ἢ Tivos εἴδους τυγχάνουσιν οὗς ἐρεῖτε καὶ νομίζετε θεούς, Epist. ad Diogn. 2,1; [οἵ. Suicer, Thesaur. s. v.]). c. steadiness of mind, firmness, courage, resolution, (οἱ δὲ ἱΡόδιοι θεωροῦντες τὴν τῶν Βυζαντίνων ὑπόστασιν, Polyb. 4, 50, 10; οὐχ οὕτω τὴν δύναμιν, ὡς τὴν ὑπόστασιν αὐτοῦ καὶ τόλμαν καταπεπληγμένων τῶν ἐναντίων, id. 6, 55, 2; add, Diod. 16,32 54. ; Joseph. antt. 18, 1,6); confidence, firm trust, assurance: 2 Co. ix.4; xi. 17; Heb. iii. 14; xi. 1, (for πῆρ, Ruth i. 12; Ezek. xix. 5; for nonin, Ps. XXxvili. (xxxix.) 8). Cf. Bleek, Br. and. Hebr. ii. 1 pp. 60 sqq. 462 sqq.; Schlatter, Glaube im N. T. p. 581.

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

ὑπόστασις hypostasis 5x

pr. a standing under; a taking of a thing upon one’s self; an assumed position, an assumption of a specific character, 2 Cor. 11:17; an engagement undertaken with regard to the conduct of others, a vouching, 2 Cor. 9:4; or of one’s self, a pledged profession, Heb. 3:14; an assured impression, a mental realizing, Heb. 11:1; a substructure, basis; subsistence, essence, Heb. 1:3*

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

ὑπό-στασις, -εως, ἡ

(< ὑφίστημι, to set under, stand under, support) [in LXX for מַצָּב (I Ki 13:23 14:4 B), תִּקְוָה (Ru 1:12, Ez 19:5), etc., also in Wi 16:21 ;]

a support, base or foundation (in various senses).

substance (Arist., al.; opp. to φαντασία, ἔμφασις): He 1:3

steadiness, firmness (Polyb., al.), hence, assurance, confidence: II Co 9:4 11:17, He 3:14 11:1 (here perhaps title-deed, as that which gives reality or guarantee; v. MM, xxv).†

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

ὑπόστασις. For this important word we may begin by citing a few exx. of the common meaning ‘“‘substance,” ‘‘ property,” “effects”: P Oxy III. 48817 (ii/iii A.D.) πλέον τῆς ὑποστάσεως μου ἐν ὅλῃ ἀρούρῃ μιᾷ, ‘more land than I actually possess by one whole aroura”’ (Edd.), 76. X. 1274} (iii/a.D.) ἀπὸ δὲ ταύτης τῆ[-] ὑποστάσεως SHAG ὀφείλειν τὸν ἄνδρα μου ἐμοὶ. . ., ‘‘and out of this estate I declare that my husband owes me. . .,” (Edd.), P Flor I. 50° (A.D. 268) té[raptov μ]έρος ὑποστάσεως, P Oxy I. 138° (A.D. 610—611) κινδύνῳ ἐμῷ καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς ὑποστάσεως, ‘at the risk of myself and my property,” similarly 31, and 76. 139*8 (A.D. 612), and P Lond IV. 1343! (A.D. 709) σὺν ταῖς φαμηλίαις καὶ ὑποστί[άσεσιν, ‘‘ with their families and effects.” Note also P Petr III. 69 (a), p. 195. The document unfortunately is much mutilated, but it has been taken as meaning that “the owner of certain dovecots had underestimated their value in his ὑπόστασις, and that the officials were directed to sell his property and pay the difference to the treasury.” In P Tebt I. 61 (6) 194 (B.c. 118) τῆς ἐν τῶι Ky (ἔτει) ἀπὸ τῶν ἀπολειπου]σῶν παρὰ τὰς ὑπίοστάσεις τοῦ tB (ἔτους), the editors translate, “‘ concerning the land which was returned in the 23rd year as part of that which failed to come up to the expectations formed in the 12th”’: the same phrase occurs in 7}. 721 (B.c. 114-3). On P Eleph 15% (B.c. 223) ot δ᾽ ὑπογεγραμμένοι γεωργοὶ ἐπέδωκαν ἡμῖν ὑπόστασιν, Rubensohn remarks that ὑπόστασις is the substantive οἵ ὑφίστασθαι in a corresponding sense: it seems to mean a written undertaking. Cf. also P Cornell 50° (i/A.D.) κἂν μὲν ὑπόστασιν λάβῃς, δήλωσόν pot, where, as the editors point out, the context requires ‘‘acreement of sale,” rather than ‘declaration of pro[2 ’, υποστέλλω For the latter meaning we may cite P Tebt II. A.D. 190) ἔστιν ὑποστάσεως Tis κώϊμης. . ” perty.” 3367 (ce. “the amount standing in the name of the village. . . (Edd.), and the fragmentary P Fay 343 (ii/A.D.), a list of villages with amounts in kind under the heading ὑπόστασις. Still one other passage may be noted, P Oxy II. 237 Vii. 26 (A.D. 186) Tats τῶν ἀνδρῶν ὑποστάσεσιν, where, according to GH (p. 176), ὑπόστασις stands for ‘the whole body of documents bearing on the ownership of a person’s property, deposited in the archives, and forming the evidence of ownership.” These varied uses are at first sight somewhat perplexing, but in all cases there is the same central idea of something that znderiies visible conditions and guarantees a future possession. And as thisis the essential meaning in Heb 111, we venture to suggest the translation ‘‘ Faith is the ¢z¢/edeed of things hoped ἴον. In Heb 15, on the other hand, the notion of zzder/ying is applied in a different way. The history of the theological term ‘‘substance” is discussed by T. B. Strong in /7S ii. (1901), p. 224 ff., and iii. (1902), p. 22 ff. For an ex. of the adj. cf. the Andania mysteries-inscr. Syll 653 (= 736) (B.c. 92) καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν πρωτομυστᾶν τὸ ὑποστατικόν, where Dittenberger notes: ‘‘ Ab ὑποστῆναι, ‘subire, in se suscipere.’ Pecunia est quam tpwtoμύσται dare debent cum haec dignitas in eos confertur ’’— a fee on undertaking office.

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

ὑπόστασις (hupostasis) — confidence/essence. ὑπόστᾰσις, εως, ἡ, (ὑφίστημι, ὑφίσταμαι): as an act, standing under, supporting, ἡ κεφαλὴ τοῦ μηροῦ καὶ ὁ αὐχὴν τοῦ ἄρθρου.. ὑπὸ συχνῷ μέρει τοῦ ἰσχίου τὴν ὑ. πεποίηται [LXX+5th c.BC+]

2. resistance, τοῦ κύματος [Refs 4th c.BC+] (unless = settling down); so perhaps in [Refs 5th c.BC+]

3. lying in ambush, [Refs 5th c.BC+] __B as a thing, __B.I in liquids, that which settles at the bottom, sediment, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; especially of sediment in the urine, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; but the urine itself is called ἡ ὑ. ἡ εἰς τὴν κύστιν, [Refs 4th c.BC+] __B.I.b an accumulation of pus, abscess, [Refs 5th c.BC+] __B.I.2 νέφους ὑποστάσεις cloud-cumuli, [Refs 1st c.BC+] __B.I.3 a kind of jelly or thick soup, in plural, [Refs 4th c.BC+] __B.I.4 metaphorically of time, duration, ἡ στιγμιαία τῶν καιρῶν ὑ. [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; μνήσθητι τίς μου ἡ ὑ. remember how short my time is, [LXX]; ἡ ὑ. μου ὡσεὶ οὐθὲν ἐνώπιόν σου mine age is as nothing before thee, [Refs]; ἐφ᾽ ὅσον αὐτοῦ (i.e. Ἕκτορος) ἡ ὑ. τῶν χρόνων ὑπῆρχεν as long as his store of years lasted, [Refs 2nd c.AD+] __B.I.5 coming into existence, origin, ἡ ὑ. μου ἐν τοῖς κατωτάτω τῆς γῆς [LXX+1st c.AD+]; ἀκμὴ οὐδὲ ἔχει γενέσεως ὑ. καθ᾽ ἑαυτήν has no power of originating by itself, [Refs 2nd c.AD+] __B.II foundation or substructure of a temple, etc., [LXX+1st c.BC+]; ὑποστάσεις ἐπάλξεων lower part of a crenellated wall, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; ὑ. ξύλου is falsa lectio for{ὑπότασις ξ}. in [Refs 5th c.BC+] __B.II.2 metaphorically of a narrative, speech, or poem, ground-work, subject-matter, argument, [Refs 2nd c.BC+] __B.II.3 plan, purpose, [Refs]; οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι.. ἰδίᾳ τινὶ ὑ. κεχρημένοι εἰσί (i.e. in their calendar) [Refs 1st c.BC+] __B.II.4 confidence, courage, resolution, steadiness, of soldiers, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; hope, ἔστι μοι ὑ. τοῦ γενηθῆναί με ἀνδρί [LXX]; ἀπώλετο ἡ ὑ. αὐτῆς[LXX+NT]; ἔστιν δὲ πίστις ἐλπιζομένων ὑπόστασις confidence in things hoped for, [NT] (unless substance be the right sense here). __B.II.5 undertaking, promise, οἱ ὑπογεγραμμένοι γεωργοὶ ἐπέδωκαν ἡμῖν ὑπόστασιν [Refs 3rd c.BC+] __B.II.6 Astrology texts, τὰ τούτου (i.e. κλήρου τύχης) τετράγωνα ὑπόστασις (perhaps -στάσεις) [λέγεται] [Refs 2nd c.BC+] __B.III substantial nature, substance, δύσσχιστα, τῷ κολλώδη τὴν ὑ. ἔχειν woods hard to cleave, because of their resinous substance, [Refs 4th c.BC+] __B.III.2 substance, actual existence, reality (οἱ νεώτεροι τῶν φιλοσόφων ἀντὶ τῆς οὐσίας τῇ λέξει τῆς ὑ. ἐχρήσαντο [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τῶν ἐν ἀέρι φαντασμάτων τὰ μέν ἐστι κατ᾽ ἔμφασιν, τὰ δὲ καθ᾽ ὑπόστασιν (substantial, actual), [Refs 4th c.BC+]; so ὑποστάσεις are the substances of which the reflections (αἱ κατοπτρικαὶ ἐμφάσεις) appear in the mirror, [Refs]; ὑ. ἔχειν have substantial existence, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; ἰδίᾳ χρησάμενον ὑποστάσει (ὑποτάσει codex), πρὸς ἰδίαν ὑ. φυτευθέντα, a separate existence, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; [ἡ παρασιτικὴ] διαφέρει καὶ τῆς ῥητορικῆς καὶ τῆς φιλοσοφίας.. κατὰ τὴν ὑ. (in respect of reality) · ἡ μὲν γὰρ ὑφέστηκεν, αἱ δὲ οὔ [Refs 2nd c.AD+] __B.III.3 real nature, essence, χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑ. [NT] __B.IV as a Rhet. figure, the full expression or expansion of an idea, [Refs 2nd c.AD+] __B.V ={ὑπόστημα} [Refs]camp, [LXX] __B.VI wealth, substance, property,[LXX+3rd c.AD+] __B.VI.2 plural, title deeds, documents recording ownership of property, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon

ὑπό-στασις, -εως, ἡ (ὑφίστημι, to set under, stand under, support) [in LXX for מַצָּב (1Ki.13:23 14:4 B), תִּקְוָה (Rut.1:12, Eze.19:5), etc., also in Wis.16:21 ;] __1. a support, base or foundation (in various senses). __2. substance (Arist., al.; opposite to φαντασία, ἔμφασις): Heb.1:3 __3. steadiness, firmness (Polyb., al.), hence, assurance, confidence: 2Co.9:4 11:17, Heb.3:14 11:1 (here perhaps title-deed, as that which gives reality or guarantee; see MM, xxv).† (AS)

Bible Occurrences (5)

📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin

Nature (5287) hupostasis

Assurance (5287) (hupostasis/hypostasis from hupo/hypo = under + histemi = stand) is a literally a standing or setting under and thus describes a support, a confidence, a steadiness, a foundation (refers to ground on which something is built = the foundation of things for which we hope) and as used in Scripture represents a solid, unshakable confidence in God (that He Who has promised is faithful). Stated another way hupostasis is that which underlies the apparent and which therefore is the reality, the essence or the substance. It came to denote essence, substance or the inner nature and as discussed below is used with that meaning in Hebrews 1:3 (verse notes). P E Hughes writes that The term hypostasis...is susceptible of a variety of connotations, but, despite the different interpretations proposed, there is in all cases, as Moulton and Milligan point out, "the same central idea of something that underlies visible conditions and guarantees a future possession." (A Commentary On The Epistle To The Hebrews) Hupostasis is a very common word from Aristotle on and was used in Greek to describe that which stands under anything such as a building, a contract, a promise. It is common in the papyri in business documents as the basis or guarantee of transactions or with the meaning of a title deed. Thus one translation renders it "Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for." George Brooks adds that... Faith does not put all its confidence in the present and the visible. Faith is to our hopes what a deed is to a piece of property. The deed guarantees ownership for the owner. Wiersbe... The word translated "substance" (assurance) means literally "to stand under, to support." Faith is to a Christian what a foundation is to a house: it gives confidence and assurance that he will stand. (Ibid) IVP Background Commentary... This hope is, however, an unshakable conviction in the present: “assurance” (NASB, NRSV; “being sure”—NIV) appears in Greek business documents with the meaning “title deed.” Hupostasis is used 19 times in the Septuagint (LXX) and 5 times in the NT... 2Cor 9:4 (3 But I have sent the brethren, that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, that, as I was saying, you may be prepared) 4 lest if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to speak of you) should be put to shame by this confidence. 2Cor 11:17 That which I am speaking, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. Hebrews 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature (hupostasis, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end; Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Considering these meanings of hupostasis in Hebrews 11:1 one could paraphrase this verse as follows... Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for. Faith is the foundation, the quality of confidence which leads one to stand under, endure, or undertake anything. Faith involves the most solid possible conviction, the God-given present assurance of a future reality. Thus hupostasis has as it's etymological equivalent in English the word "substance" which describes that which stands under a thing or that which makes it what it is. In Hebrews 1:3 the Son is such a revelation of the Father that when we see Jesus, we see what God's real being is. Hebrews 1:3 (note) And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Comment: Christ is the very representation of the divine essence. The author is conveying the truth that whatever the divine essence is, Jesus is said to be its perfect expression and in so doing affirms the deity of Jesus Christ. The etymological equivalent of hupostasis in English is "substance" or that which stands under a thing and which makes it what it is. The Son is such a revelation of the Father that when we see Jesus, we see what God's real being is.) Robertson commenting on the use of hupostasis in Hebrews 1:3 writes that... The word hupostasis for the being or essence of God “is a philosophical rather than a religious term” (Moffatt). Etymologically it is the sediment or foundation under a building (for instance). In Hebrews 11:1 hupostasis is like the “title-deed” idea found in the papyri. Athanasius rightly used Heb. 1:1-4 in his controversy with Arius. (Robertson, A. Word Pictures in the New Testament) Wuest writes that... The word “substance” deserves careful treatment. It is hupostasis, made up of stasis “to stand,” and hupo “under,” thus “that which stands under, a foundation.” Thus it speaks of the ground on which one builds a hope. Moulton and Milligan report its use as a legal term. They say that it stands for “the whole body of documents bearing on the ownership of a person’s property, deposited in archives, and forming the evidence of ownership.” They suggest the translation, “Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for.” The Holy Spirit energized act of faith which a believer exercises in the Lord Jesus is the title-deed which God puts in his hand, guaranteeing to him the possession of the thing for which he trusted Him. In the case of this first-century Jew, his act of faith in Messiah as High Priest would be the title-deed which God would give him, guaranteeing to him the possession of the salvation for which he trusted God. Thus, he would have assurance. Vincent translates, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.” He says that “It is the firm grasp of faith on unseen fact.” (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos) Vincent commenting on hupostasis in Hebrews 1:3 notes that... The primary sense of hupostasis or substance is something which stands underneath; foundation, ground of hope or confidence, and so, assurance itself. In a philosophical sense, substantial nature; the real nature of anything which underlies and supports its outward form and properties. In N. T., 2 Cor. 9:4; 11:17; Heb. 3:14; 11:1, signifying in every instance ground of confidence or confidence. In LXX, it represents fifteen different words, and, in some cases, it is hard to understand its meaning, notably 1Sa 13:21. In Ruth 1:12 ("Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons"); Ps. 39:7 ("And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope [my ground, my foundation...for hope] is in Thee."); Ezek. 19:5, it means ground of hope: in Jdg. 6:4 ("So they would camp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance [Lxx - hupostasis + zoe ~ no support or foundation of life] in Israel as well as no sheep, ox, or donkey."); Wisd. 16:21, sustenance: in Ps. 39:5 ("Behold, Thou hast made my days as handbreadths, And my lifetime [Lxx = hupostasis ~ my existence] as nothing in Thy sight, Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah."); Ps 139:15, the substance or material of the human frame: in 1Sa 13:23 ("and the garrison of the Philistines"); Ezek. 26:11, an outpost or garrison: in Deut. 11:6; Job 22:20 ("and their abundance the fire has consumed"), possessions. The theological sense, person, is later than the apostolic age. In Hebrews 1:3, substantial nature, essence. (Adapted and amplified from Vincent, M. R. Word Studies in the New Testament 4:382-383) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/hebrews_111-2.htm#assurance

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