LTTrWH);Romans 15:15 (RGL);1 Corinthians 1:11;2 Corinthians 1:4, 16;Galatians 1:11;Ephesians 2:11;Philippians 3:12;1 Thessalonians 1:4;2 Thessalonians 2:13;Hebrews 3:4, and in many other passages;φωνῆςἐνεχθείσηςὑπότῆςμεγαλοπρεποῦςδόξης, when a voice was brought by the majestic glory (cf.R. V. marginal reading), i. e. came down to him from God,2 Peter 1:17; afterγίνομαι,to be done, effected,Luke 9:7RL in brackets;Luke 13:17;Luke 23:8;Ephesians 5:12;γίνεταιτίνιἐπιβουλή,Acts 20:3;ἡἐπιτιμίαἡὑπότῶνπλειόνων, namely,ἐπιτιμηθεισα,2 Corinthians 2:6; — with the genitive of a thing:Matthew 8:24;Matthew 11:7;Matthew 14:24;Luke 7:24;Luke 8:14 (seeπορεύω, at the end);John 8:9;Acts 27:41;Romans 3:21;Romans 12:21;1 Corinthians 10:29;2 Corinthians 5:4;Ephesians 5:13;Colossians 2:18;James 1:14;James 2:9;James 3:4, 6;2 Peter 2:7, 17;Jude 1:12;Revelation 6:13.b. with neuter verbs, and with active verbs which carry a passive meaning:πάσχεινὑπότίνος,Matthew 17:12;Mark 5:26;1 Thessalonians 2:14 (Homer, Iliad 11, 119;Thucydides 1, 77;Xenophon, symp. 1, 9; Cyril 6, 1, 36; Hier. 7, 8);ἀπολέσθαι, to perish,1 Corinthians 10:9f (very often in secular authors fromHerodotus 3, 32 on);ὑπομένειντί,Hebrews 12:3 (cf.ἀντιλογία, 2);λαμβάνειν namely,πληγάς, to be beaten,2 Corinthians 11:24; after a term purely active, of a force by which something is bidden to be done:ἀποκτεῖναιἐνῤομφαίακαίὑπότῶνθηρίωντῆςγῆς, by the wild beasts,Revelation 6:8 (cf. 9:18Rec.) (soὠλεσεθυμόνὑφ'Ἐκτορος,Homer, Iliad 17, 616; cf.Matthiae, ii., p. 1393; (Buttmann, 341 (293))).
II. with the accusative (Winer's Grammar, § 49, k.);
1. of motion, in answer to the question 'whither?': to comeὑπότήνστέγην,Matthew 8:8;Luke 7:6;ἐπισυνάγειν,Matthew 23:37;Luke 13:34; with verbs of putting or placing:Matthew 5:15;Mark 4:21;Luke 11:33;1 Corinthians 15:25; of placing under or subjecting,Luke 7:8;Romans 7:14;Romans 16:20;1 Corinthians 15:27;Galatians 3:22;Galatians 4:3;Ephesians 1:22;1 Peter 5:6;ἔχωτιναὑπ'ἐμαυτόν,Matthew 8:9;Luke 7:8,γίνεσθαι, born under i. e. subject to,Galatians 4:4; of falling, tropically,James 5:12 (whereRstεἰςὑπκρισιν).
2. of situation, position, tarrying: afterκατασκηνοῦν,Mark 4:32;κάθημαι,James 2:3; with the verbεἶναι: (to andunder) in a local or proper sense,John 1:48(49);Acts 4:12;Romans 3:13;1 Corinthians 10:1;ἡὑπό (τόν)ὀυρνανος namely,χώρα,Luke 17:24;πάσῃκτίσειτῇὑπότόνοὐρανοῦ, namely,οὔσῃ,Colossians 1:23;τάὑπότόνοὐρανόν namely,ὄντα,Acts 2:5 (τάὑπόσελήνην,Philo de vit. Moys. ii., § 12);εἶναιὑπότινα orτί,to be under, i. e. subject to the power of, any person or thing:Romans 3:9;Romans 6:14, 15;1 Corinthians 9:20;Galatians 3:10, 25;Galatians 4:2, 21;Galatians 5:18;1 Timothy 6:1;ὑπόἐξουσίαν namely,ὤν,Matthew 8:9 (whereLWH brackets readὑπόἐξουσίαντασσόμενος (set under authority), so also the Sinaiticus manuscript);οἱὑπόνόμον, namely,ὄντες,1 Corinthians 9:20;Galatians 4:5 (ὑπόἐκπληξινεἶναι, Protevangelium Jacobi, 18).τηρεῖντινα,Jude 1:6;φρουρεῖσθαι,Galatians 3:23.
3. of time, like the Latinsub (cf.sub vespe. ram), equivalent toabout (see examples from the Greek writings inPassow, p. 2111{a}; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, C. III.)):ὑπότόνὄρθρον,about daybreak,Acts 5:21. This preposition occurs with the accusative nowhere else in the N. T. The apostle John uses it only twice with the genitive (John 14:21;3 John 1:12 — three times, ifJohn 10:14RG is counted (cf.John 8:9)), and once with the accusative (John 1:48 (49)).
III. in Compositionὑπό denotes:
1. locality,under:ὑποκάτω,ὑποπόδιον,ὑπωπιάζω,ὑποδέω; of the goal of motion, i. e.ὑπότί, asὑποδέχομαι (under one's roof);ὑπολαμβάνω (to receive by standing under);ὑποβάλλω,ὑποτίθημι; tropically, in expressions of subjection, compliance, etc., asὑπακούω,ὑπακοή,ὑπηκως,ὑπόδικος,ὕπανδρος,ὑπάγω,ὑπολείπω,ὑποχωρέω.
2. small in degree,slightly, asὑποπνέω.
Topical Lexicon
Overview of UsageThe preposition behind Strong’s Greek 5259 occurs 222 times in the New Testament and consistently conveys the ideas of “under” and “by.” Whether expressing physical position, delegated authority, divine agency, or moral status, its occurrences draw a line between what is subject and what rules, what is covered and what covers, what is acted upon and what acts. From Matthew’s opening chapters to John’s Apocalypse, the word quietly anchors major doctrines—revelation, redemption, authority, submission, and final victory—binding together the testimony of Scripture.
Spatial and Figurative Foundations
1. Physical placement beneath or behind
• “Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket” (Matthew 5:15).
• “A mustard seed… becomes a tree, so that the birds… nest under its branches” (Mark 4:32).
• The watery grave of baptism: “They were being baptized by him in the Jordan River” (Matthew 3:6).
Such texts supply the concrete imagery upon which deeper theological uses are built: to be “under” is to be covered, hidden, protected, or oppressed.
2. Figurative covering and concealment
• Hidden motives (Ephesians 5:12), secret sins (James 3:6), concealed truths later revealed (Luke 8:17 implied by parallel wording inMark 4:21).
The preposition signals what lies beneath the surface of human life and history, preparing hearts for the uncovering light of Christ.
Agency: The Hand Guiding Events
When the verb is passive, 5259 marks the personal agent.
• Prophecy’s fulfillment: “All this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet” (Matthew 1:22). God Himself stands behind revelation.
• Resurrection power: “God raised Him up, releasing Him from the agony of death” (Acts 2:24).
• Apostolic commissioning: “Ananias… a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews living there…” (Acts 22:12-14) points to testimony “by” others confirming Saul’s call.
Each instance underscores divine sovereignty or authentic human agency. Nothing in Scripture happens in a causal vacuum; someone stands “underneath” as mover and guarantor.
Subjection and Authority Structures
1. Governmental order
• “Every person must be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1).
• Paul’s appeal “to Caesar” places him under Rome’s jurisdiction (Acts 25:11).
The preposition frames civic obedience while reminding believers that earthly powers are themselves “under God.”
2. Domestic and social order
• Children “under guardians and stewards” (Galatians 4:2).
• Slaves urged that the name of God “not be blasphemed” by behavior under their masters (1 Timothy 6:1).
These verses reveal early-church discipleship worked out within existing structures, yet hint at a deeper emancipation in Christ.
3. Ecclesial accountability
• Letters “written on our hearts, known and read by everyone” and “ministered by us” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).
Ministry is rendered “by” (under the hand of) fellow servants, fostering mutual responsibility.
Redemptive Themes: Under Law, Under Sin, Under Grace
1. Under Law
• “Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law” (Galatians 3:23).
• Christ was “born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law” (Galatians 4:4-5).
The preposition marks the legal bondage from which Messiah frees His own.
2. Under Sin
• “We have already charged that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin” (Romans 3:9).
Moral captivity is universal; only divine action can liberate.
3. Under Grace and Protection
• “Sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
• “Humble yourselves therefore under God’s mighty hand, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).
Believers move from oppressive subjection to gracious covering; the same preposition now speaks of comfort and security.
Christological Fulfillment
Every prophetic citation using 5259 exalts Christ as the One who brings promises to completion.
•Matthew 2:15—Exodus-Hosea typology is fulfilled “by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’”
•Acts 4:11—Jesus is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” The rejected One becomes foundation; what lay “under” scorn now stands “over” as head.
Apostolic Portraits of Ministry
1. Servants under authority
• The centurion’s insight: “For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me” (Matthew 8:9). Faith recognizes chains of command extending to heaven’s throne.
2. Suffering under oppression
• “Pressed on every side” (2 Corinthians 1:8 context; cf. 5:4 “we groan, being burdened”). The word captures missionary affliction, yet also the upholding grace beneath.
3. Accountability under divine call
• Collections carried “by the brothers” (2 Corinthians 8:19-20) show financial transparency and cooperative oversight.
Pastoral Implications
• Submission and Humility: A heart “under God’s mighty hand” (1 Peter 5:6) is poised for exaltation.
• Spiritual Vigilance: Those taken “captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26) must be rescued; saints labor beneath Christ’s authority to free others.
• Integrity in Witness: “Our approval comes from God” (1 Thessalonians 2:4), not from men who stand over us as final judges.
Eschatological Horizon
The destiny of creation is encapsulated in the repetition of 5259 in1 Corinthians 15:25-27:
“He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet… For ‘God has put everything under His feet.’”
Here “under” heralds consummation: the last enemy, death, subdued; the King supreme.
Conclusion
Strong’s 5259 quietly threads through the New Testament, linking the humble posture of believers, the certitude of prophecy, the structures of society, and the climactic reign of Christ. To live “under” God is to live in the safest, most liberating place in the universe, awaiting the day when every rival power will be forever “under His feet.”
Forms and Transliterations
υπ υπ' ὑπ' υπο υπό ὑπό ὑπὸ υφ υφ' ὑφ' hyp' hyph' hypo hypó hypò up uph upoLinks
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