Quick Definition
ὑποστολή, ῆς, ἡ n.f. a shrinking, drawing back
Strong's Definition
shrinkage (timidity), i.e. (by implication) apostasy
Derivation: from G5288 (ὑποστέλλω);
KJV Usage: draw back
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ὑπο-στολή, -ῆς, ἡ, (ὑποστέλλω, 4. ν.), prop. α withdrawing (Vulg. subtractio), [in a good sense, Plut. anim. an corp. aff. sint pej. § 3 sub fin.]; the timidity of one stealthily retreating: οὐκ ἐσμὲν ὑποστολῆς (see εἰμί, IV. 1 g.), we have no part in shrinking back ete., we are free from the cowardice of ete. [R.V. we are not of them that shrink back etc.], Heb. x. 39 (λάθρα τὰ πολλὰ καὶ μεθ᾽ ὑποστολῆς ἐκακούργησεν, Joseph. b. j. 2, 14, 2; ὑποστολὴν ποιοῦνται, antt. 16, 4, 3).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ὑποστολή hypostolē 1x
a shrinking back, Heb. 10:39*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
*† ὑπο-στολή, -ῆς, ἡ
(< ὑποστέλλω),
a letting down, lowering (Plut.).
a shrinking back (Hesych.): οὐκ ἐσμὲν ὑποστολῆς (on the gen., v. Bl., § 35, 2), He 10:39.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ὑποστολή is found in the NT only in Heb 10%, where it derives the meaning ‘‘ drawing back” from the preceding ὑποστείληται.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ὑποστολή (hupostolē) — shrinking. ὑποστολή, ἡ, fasting, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
2. omission of a letter, τοῦ ῑ [Refs 2nd c.AD+]: generally, removal, [Refs]
II. shrinking, timidity, evasion, [NT+5th c.AD+]holding back, [Refs 1st c.BC+]; μετά τινος ὑ. with a certain reserve, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
III. concealment, dissimulation, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ὑπο-στολή, -ῆς, ἡ
(ὑποστέλλω),
__1. a letting down, lowering (Plut.).
__2. a shrinking back (Hesych.): οὐκ ἐσμὲν ὑποστολῆς (on the genitive, see Bl., § 35, 2), Heb.10:39.†
(AS)
📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin
Shrink back (5289) hupostole
Shrink back (5289) (hupostole from hupostello = to draw aside or back, to withdraw, to retreat, to hold back) strictly speaking referred to "lowering of sails, hence lack of steadfastness, shrinking back, giving up." (Friberg) Hupostole figuratively describes a withdrawing or turning back, a timidity, a ceasing to do something, in some instances (as in the present passage), because of adverse circumstances and/or fear of reprisal. The idea is a drawing back, an evasion, an apostasy. Hupostole was used by the Greek writer Plutarch in a good sense to describe a stealthy retreat. Josephus uses it to describe a dissimulation (hiding under a false appearance). Secular writings also use hupostole to describe "holding a body of troops in reserve position." (BDAG) See modern day example of those who do not shrink back (click here). Rengstorf adds that "The only NT instance is in Heb.10:39 (cf. Heb 10:37-note), where, in tension with pistis (faith), it denotes “lack of steadfastness” of “unreliability” (cf. Heb 2:1-note). (TDNT)
PERFECTION
OR
PERDITION!
Warren Wiersbe...
The believer who lives by faith will “go on to perfection” (Heb 6:1-note). But the believer who lives by sight will “draw back unto perdition” (Heb 10:39-note).
Vincent...
Drawing back makes for and terminates in (eis) destruction.
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