Greek word · G5227

ὑπεναντίος

hypenantios

opposed

"Set over against", contrary, hostile. Used as a noun it means an adversary or opponent. In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) it often translates words for enemies (e.g. Exod 23:22; Isa 26:11).

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

What it means

ὑπ-εναντίος, -α, -ον

[in LXX for אָיַב, צַר, etc. ;]

set over against, opposite. Metaphorical (Plat., Arist., al.), opposed to, contrary to: with dative of person(s), Colossians 2:14; absol., as subst., ὁ ὑ., Hebrews 10:27 (cf. Isaiah 26:11).†

(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 Hebrews 10:27

Range of meaning

"Set over against", contrary, hostile. Used as a noun it means an adversary or opponent. In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) it often translates words for enemies (e.g. Exod 23:22; Isa 26:11).

Against the English

"Adversaries" (ESV, NASB, WEB, BSB) is accurate. NIV and NLT add "of God" / "his enemies", which is right in meaning but spells out what the Greek leaves implied. BSB's "all adversaries" adds "all", which is not in the Greek.

Used elsewhere in the period

Elsewhere in the New Testament only at Colossians 2:14 (the written record "hostile to us"). Taken here straight from Isaiah 26:11 LXX, "fire will devour the adversaries (tous hypenantious)".

From the study of Colossians 2:14

Range of meaning

Opposed, contrary, hostile. Used as a noun for 'the adversary, the enemy'.

Against the English

KJV/YLT 'contrary to us' is mild. ESV/BSB 'stood against us' and NIV 'condemned us' better catch the hostility.

Used elsewhere in the period

Common in the Greek Old Testament for military enemies (e.g., Gen 22:17, 'possess the cities of their adversaries'; Exod 15:7). In the New Testament only here and Heb 10:27 ('fire that will consume the adversaries').

Where it appears

Colossians · 1

  1. Colossians 2:14 ὑπεναντίον adverse

    having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!

    Here: A strong word, used in the Greek Old Testament for enemies. The document acted like an adversary in court. Saying 'against us' twice adds emphasis.

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 10:27 ὑπεναντίους. adversaries.

    but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.

    Here: "Those set against", people in active opposition. The word comes from Isaiah 26:11 in the Greek Old Testament. The point is sharp: someone who deliberately abandons Christ ends up standing among God's enemies, not among his people.

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