ὑπερήφανος (G5244) — proud, arrogant, showing oneself above others¶
Part of the 2 Timothy 3:1–5 Vice List study
Contents¶
- Overview
- Etymology and Semantic Range
- OT / LXX Background
- NT Distribution
- Theological Note
- NT Occurrences
- LXX Occurrences (Canonical)
Overview¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Strong's | G5244 |
| Greek | ὑπερήφανος |
| Transliteration | hyperephanos |
| Gloss | proud, arrogant, showing oneself above others |
| 2 Tim 3 verse | 3:2 |
| KJV rendering | "proud" |
| NT occurrences | 5 (5 books) |
| LXX occurrences (canonical) | 21 |
Etymology and Semantic Range¶
Compound: ὑπέρ (over/above) + φαίνομαι (to appear, show oneself). Literally "one who shows himself above others."
Five NT occurrences across five books; 40 LXX occurrences across 12 books — one of the richer terms in the list. Consistently listed among the gravest sins: Rom 1:30 (alongside ἀλαζών), Luk 1:51 (God scatters the proud), Jas 4:6 / 1Pe 5:5 (God opposes the proud — quoting Pro 3:34 LXX, where ὑπερηφάνοις renders גֵּאִים).
OT / LXX Background¶
Primary Hebrew equivalents: גָּאֶה / גָּאוֹן (pride, haughtiness; Psa 10:2; Pro 8:13; Isa 2:12), and זֵד (presumptuous, arrogant; Psa 119:21,51,69). Pride is one of the seven things the LORD hates (Pro 6:17).
| Reference | LXX form |
|---|---|
| Est 4:17 | ὑπερήφανον |
| Est 4:17 | ὑπερηφάνων |
| Job 38:15 | ὑπερηφάνων |
| Job 40:12 | ὑπερήφανον |
| Psa 17:28 | ὑπερηφάνων |
| Psa 88:11 | ὑπερήφανον |
| Psa 93:2 | ὑπερηφάνοις |
| Psa 100:5 | ὑπερηφάνῳ |
| Psa 118:21 | ὑπερηφάνοις |
| Psa 118:51 | ὑπερήφανοι |
| Psa 118:69 | ὑπερηφάνων |
| Psa 118:78 | ὑπερήφανοι |
| Psa 118:122 | ὑπερήφανοι |
| Psa 122:4 | ὑπερηφάνοις |
| Psa 139:6 | ὑπερήφανοι |
| Pro 3:34 | ὑπερηφάνοις |
| Isa 1:25 | ὑπερηφάνους |
| Isa 2:12 | ὑπερήφανον |
| Isa 13:11 | ὑπερηφάνων |
| Isa 29:20 | ὑπερήφανος |
| Zep 3:6 | ὑπερηφάνους |
NT Distribution¶
Theological Note¶
The LXX depth (40 occurrences) makes this one of the theologically weightiest terms in the list. The Magnificat (Luk 1:51) and the Proverbs quotation (Jas 4:6) frame ὑπερήφανος as the characteristic sin that draws divine opposition.
NT Occurrences¶
| Reference | Greek form | KJV text |
|---|---|---|
| Luk 1:51 | ὑπερηφάνους | He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. |
| Rom 1:30 | ὑπερηφάνους, | Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, |
| 2Ti 3:2 | ὑπερήφανοι, | For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, u… |
| Jas 4:6 | ὑπερηφάνοις | But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. |
| 1Pe 5:5 | ὑπερηφάνοις | Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clot… |