ὑποπνέω (hupopneō)
hupopneō
to blow gently
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb hupopneō describes a gentle, soft blowing, literally meaning to blow underneath or beneath. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 27:13, where it characterizes the wind that began to blow favorably for Paul and the other prisoners on board the ship.
Its components suggest a light, supportive force rather than a storm. The prefix hupo indicates position or agency from below, while pneō relates to breathing or blowing air. This combination paints a picture of a breeze rising gently, providing just enough lift to move a vessel without the danger of a gale.
Translators typically render this word as "blew softly" or "blew gently," capturing the mild nature of the wind that initially seemed like an opportunity for escape. The term highlights a momentary shift in conditions, offering a brief respite before the storm returned, illustrating how even small changes in circumstances can influence human plans.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In Acts 27:13, the Greek word hupopneō describes a wind that blew gently, offering a moment of hope during a perilous journey. The sailors saw this soft breeze as a chance to reach their destination safely, so they adjusted their sails and set out from a good harbor near Crete. It felt like a clear sign of progress, a gentle push in the right direction when everything else seemed uncertain.
Life often gives us these small openings, moments where circumstances seem to align perfectly with our plans. We might feel encouraged by a sudden opportunity or a quiet sense that things are finally moving forward. Yet, this single word reminds us that such gentle breezes can be fleeting. What appears to be a steady path may shift quickly, teaching us to hold our hopes lightly and trust in something deeper than the weather.
This story invites us to find peace not in controlling every outcome, but in resting with those who share our journey. Even when the wind changes or plans fall apart, you are not alone. There is comfort in knowing that guidance comes through both calm moments and storms, leading us toward a destination we cannot yet see.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- When was blowing gently1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ὑποπνεύσαντος1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:13
When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore.
This verse uses hupopneō to describe the initial favorable wind that misled the crew into thinking their escape plan would succeed, highlighting how a gentle start can mask future dangers.