Greek word · G5223

ὕπαρξις

hyparxis

property

Literally 'that which exists' or 'what one has'. From that: property, means, resources, belongings. Often used for movable wealth or someone's means of living.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ὕπαρξις, -εως, ἡ

(ὑπάρχω), [in LXX for רְכוּשׁ, הוֹן, etc. ;]

1. subsistence, existence (Arist., al.).

2. In late writers, = τὰ ὑπάρχοντα, substance, property: Hebrews 10:34; pl., Acts 2:45.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 2:45

Range of meaning

Literally 'that which exists' or 'what one has'. From that: property, means, resources, belongings. Often used for movable wealth or someone's means of living.

Against the English

'Goods' (BSB, KJV, WEB) and 'belongings' (ESV) are fine. The pairing with ktēma is the point: land plus everything else, meaning wealth of every kind.

Used elsewhere in the period

Hebrews 10:34 ('you joyfully accepted the seizure of your hyparxeis'). In the LXX, e.g. 2 Chronicles 35:7 and Proverbs 18:11. It is common in papyri and Hellenistic prose for a person's means or property.

From the study of Hebrews 10:34

Range of meaning

Property, possessions, goods, means. In philosophical Greek it can also mean existence or reality, but in ordinary Koine it is a property word.

Against the English

Modern versions say 'possession(s)'. KJV and YLT 'substance' was the standard 1611 word for wealth, but today it suggests material or essence.

How it drifted

In Early Modern English 'substance' meant one's estate or wealth (KJV Luke 8:3, 'ministered unto him of their substance'; Luke 15:13, 'wasted his substance'). That sense has faded, and readers may hear something abstract or metaphysical.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it appears only here and in Acts 2:45, where believers sold 'possessions and goods (hyparxeis)'. The LXX uses it for royal property (2 Chronicles 35:7, from the king's possessions), and documentary papyri use it for estates and property.

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 2:45 ὑπάρξεις goods

    Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.

    Here: What someone has to live on: goods, possessions, resources. Paired with ktēmata, it means roughly 'land and other belongings.'

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 10:34 ὕπαρξιν possession

    You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.

    Here: 'Possession', from the same root as hyparchontōn above. They lost their belongings but have a better belonging.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.