Greek word · G5235

ὑπερβάλλω

hyperballō

to surpass

Hyperballō means 'to throw beyond'. In ordinary Greek it is used of out-throwing a rival, then of going past a mark or limit, and so of surpassing or excelling. The participle form means 'surpassing, extraordinary, beyond measure'.

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ὑπερ-βάλλω

[in LXX: Job 15:11 A (†), Sirach 5:7 25:11, al. ;]

1. trans., to throw over or beyond.

2. Intrans., to run beyond. In both senses, metaphorically, to exceed, surpass, transcend: 2 Corinthians 3:10 9:14, Ephesians 1:19 2:7; with genitive obj., Ephesians 3:19.†

(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 Ephesians 1:19

Range of meaning

Hyperballō means 'to throw beyond'. In ordinary Greek it is used of out-throwing a rival, then of going past a mark or limit, and so of surpassing or excelling. The participle form means 'surpassing, extraordinary, beyond measure'. Megethos means size, magnitude or greatness, whether physical (the size of a body or a city) or figurative (greatness of a deed, of a god, of a soul).

Against the English

KJV/WEB/YLT 'exceeding greatness', BSB/NASB 'surpassing greatness', ESV 'immeasurable greatness', NIV 'incomparably great', NLT 'incredible greatness'. All are fair. 'Immeasurable' and 'incomparably' bring out the sense of going past any standard. 'Exceeding' keeps the picture of going over a limit.

Used elsewhere in the period

Within the New Testament, hyperballō is used only by Paul: 2 Cor 3:10 (the surpassing glory), 2 Cor 9:14 (the surpassing grace of God), and in Ephesians at 2:7 (the surpassing riches of his grace) and 3:19 (the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge). Megethos appears nowhere else in the New Testament. The Greek Old Testament (LXX) uses it in Exod 15:16, the Song of the Sea: 'by the greatness (megethei) of your arm'. That echoes God's power at the Exodus. Greek writers, including Philo, use it for divine greatness.

From the study of Ephesians 3:19

Range of meaning

Literally to throw beyond (a mark), to overshoot. Figuratively, to exceed, surpass, go beyond. As a participle it means "surpassing, extraordinary".

Against the English

KJV "passeth" means "surpasses" (as in "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding"), not "passes away". "Surpasses" (BSB, WEB) is accurate. The "throw beyond" picture is lost in all of them.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it appears only in Paul: 2 Cor 3:10; 9:14; Eph 1:19 ("the surpassing greatness of his power"); 2:7 ("the surpassing riches of his grace"). In classical Greek it is used of a throw that goes past an opponent's mark.

From the study of 2 Corinthians 3:10

Range of meaning

Literally 'to throw beyond', as when a javelin or stone goes past a mark. Figuratively it means 'to exceed, surpass, outdo', and as a participle 'extraordinary, beyond measure'.

Against the English

KJV's 'that excelleth' and BSB's 'that surpasses it' are accurate. The image of overshooting is lost in English, and so is the present tense ('goes on surpassing').

Used elsewhere in the period

This is a favourite word family of Paul's in 2 Corinthians: 4:7 ('the surpassing power'), 4:17 ('an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure'), 9:14 ('the surpassing grace of God'), 12:7 ('the surpassing greatness of the revelations'); compare Ephesians 1:19; 2:7; 3:19. In ordinary Greek it is used for one quantity outstripping another.

Similar words

Where it appears

2 Corinthians · 2

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:10 ὑπερβαλλούσης surpassing [it]

    Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it.

    Here: A present participle, 'the glory that goes on outdoing'. The picture is of a throw that lands far past the mark. Paul uses this word family often in 2 Corinthians for what is beyond measure.

  2. 2 Corinthians 9:14 ὑπερβάλλουσαν surpassing

    And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

Ephesians · 3

  1. Ephesians 1:19 ὑπερβάλλον surpassing

    and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,

    Here: Literally 'throwing beyond', as when one athlete's throw lands past all the others. The present participle describes greatness that keeps going beyond every measure you could set against it.

  2. Ephesians 2:7 ὑπερβάλλον surpassing

    in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

    Here: Literally "throwing beyond": overshooting every mark. This wealth is beyond any comparison, a favourite word of Paul's for God's power (1:19) and Christ's love (3:19).

  3. Ephesians 3:19 ὑπερβάλλουσαν is surpassing

    of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

    Here: Literally "throwing beyond", as a thrown spear lands past the mark. The present participle describes a lasting quality: this love always goes beyond what knowledge can reach.

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