Greek word · G5231

ὑπεράνω

hyperanō

above

An adverb or preposition meaning 'high above', 'far above'. It is used for physical position (above something) and for rank (superior to something).

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 31, 2026

What it means

ὑπερ-άνω

compound adv., [in LXX for עַל, מֵעָל, etc. ;]

above: as prep. with genitive, Ephesians 1:21 4:10, Hebrews 9:5.†

(AS)

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

Range of meaning: An adverb or preposition meaning 'high above', 'far above'. It is used for physical position (above something) and for rank (superior to something).
Against the English: Most English versions say 'far above', which is accurate. A plain 'above' would lose the extra height built into the compound (hyper 'over' + anō 'above').
Used elsewhere in the period: In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) it describes Israel set 'high above all the nations' (Deut 26:19; 28:1). In the New Testament it appears again at Eph 4:10, where Christ 'ascended far above all the heavens', and at Heb 9:5, where the cherubim are 'above' the mercy seat.

Range of meaning: 'Above, over, high above.' It is used of physical position (Heb 9:5, the cherubim 'above' the ark) and of superior rank or authority. The hyper- prefix intensifies the simple 'above'.
Against the English: BSB 'above' is correct but weaker. KJV, WEB and YLT 'far above' catch the intensifying prefix better. NIV and NLT 'higher than' stress elevation and lose some of the note of rank.
Used elsewhere in the period: Eph 1:21 'far above every ruler and authority and power and dominion'. Heb 9:5. In the LXX: Deut 26:19 and 28:1, where God sets Israel 'high above' all nations, a matter of status and not location.

Ephesians · 2

Ephesians 1:21 ὑπεράνω above

far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Here: A compound of 'over' and 'above', so it carries extra height. It finishes the picture from verse 20: God seated Christ at his right hand, and that seat is high above every power that follows.
Ephesians 4:10 ὑπεράνω above

He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.

Here: A strengthened 'above' (hyper + anō). It means not just higher but above and beyond, in rank as well as in place. It repeats 1:21, where Christ is seated 'far above every ruler and authority'.

Hebrews · 1

Hebrews 9:5 ὑπεράνω Above

Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

Here: A strengthened 'above': up over and on top of. The cherubim stand on the ark's lid, rising above it, which is exactly how Exodus 25:18–20 describes them.

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