ὑπερηφανία (huperēphania)
huperēphania
pride
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun huperēphania describes a spirit of haughtiness or arrogance that manifests as disdain for others. It captures the attitude of someone who holds an inflated view of their own worth and, in doing so, treats those around them with insolence or contempt. This is not merely self-confidence; it is a relational pride that looks down on people.
Its root combines huper ("over") and phaneros ("visible" or "showing"), suggesting something that sticks up above the rest. The sources note its frequent use in the Septuagint for Hebrew terms meaning haughtiness, linking it to a broader biblical critique of arrogance. In the New Testament, Mark 7:22 lists it among the evils that defile a person, placing it alongside envy and deceit as a corruption of the heart.
Translators typically render this word as "pride" or "haughtiness." While English often reserves pride for an internal feeling, huperēphania implies an outward posture—a visible superiority that dismisses the dignity of others. It stands in direct opposition to humility, serving as a stark warning against the social and spiritual dangers of self-exaltation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word huperēphania points to a pride that is not just internal self-esteem, but an outward posture of looking down on others. It describes a spirit where one feels superior and treats people with disdain or contempt. This attitude separates us from our neighbors and creates barriers in community.
In Mark 7:22, Jesus lists this haughtiness among the things that come from the heart and defile a person. He places it alongside deceit and envy, showing how destructive it is to our spiritual health. Recognizing this tendency helps us see where we need grace rather than self-reliance.
Reflecting on this word invites us to examine our own hearts for moments of judgment or superiority. It encourages a shift toward humility, where we value others as equal before God. This awareness opens the door for deeper compassion and genuine connection with those around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- pride,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπερηφανία,1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 7:22
covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.
This verse matters because Jesus explicitly identifies pride (huperēphania) as an internal evil that defiles a person, linking it directly to deceit and envy.