ὑπερήφανος (huperēphanos)
huperēphanos
arrogant
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective huperephanos describes a person who positions themselves above others, carrying a sense of being pre-eminent or conspicuous in a way that despises those below. In the New Testament, it consistently carries a negative weight, translating to arrogant, haughty, or disdainful behavior rather than simple confidence. The word paints a picture of someone with an overweening estimate of their own merit, treating others with contempt.
This term is closely linked to its Old Greek background, where it often translates Hebrew words for pride and arrogance. Scripture frequently contrasts huperephanos with the quality of being lowly or humble (tapeinos), establishing a clear moral divide. James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 highlight this opposition by noting that God opposes the haughty but gives grace to the humble, reinforcing that this attitude is fundamentally at odds with divine favor.
Its usage in the New Testament underscores its theological danger. Romans 1:30 lists it among the traits of a depraved mind, while Luke 1:51 describes how God scatters the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. By placing this trait alongside malice and deceit, the text signals that huperephanos is not merely a social flaw but a spiritual condition that rejects the humility required for right relationship with God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word huperēphanos paints a picture of someone who stands above others, looking down with disdain. It is more than simple confidence; it is an attitude that despises those considered lower. In our daily lives, this often shows up as an inability to listen or a refusal to admit we are wrong. When we hold ourselves in such high regard, we create distance between ourselves and the people around us.
Scripture presents a clear alternative through humility. The Bible teaches that God actively resists those who are arrogant but gives grace to the humble. This is not just a moral suggestion but a spiritual reality. By choosing to lower ourselves and serve others, we open our hearts to receive the very grace that pride blocks.
Reflecting on this helps us see how much room there is for growth in our own character. We can ask God to help us recognize when we are being self-centered or dismissive. Instead of seeking to be seen as superior, we can find peace in serving quietly and treating everyone with the respect they deserve.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] proud3×
- proud,1×
- arrogant,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπερηφάνοις2×
- ὑπερήφανοι,1×
- ὑπερηφάνους,1×
- ὑπερηφάνους1×
Key Verses
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James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
This verse explicitly contrasts God's resistance toward the arrogant with His generous grace given to the humble, defining the spiritual consequence of this attitude.
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Luke 1:51
He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Here the word describes those whose internal pride is scattered by God's strength, showing that arrogance disrupts one's own heart and mind.
-
Romans 1:30
backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Paul lists this trait among the signs of a depraved mind, grouping it with malice to show its deep moral corruption.