Lexical Summary huperperissós: Exceedingly abundant, beyond measure, superabundant Original Word: ὑπερπερισσός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beyond measure. From huper and perissos; superabundantly, i.e. Exceedingly -- beyond measure. see GREEK huper see GREEK perissos HELPS Word-studies 5249 hyperperissṓs (from 5228 /hypér, "beyond" and 4057 /perissṓs, "exceeding, abundant") – properly, abounding (literally, "going beyond expected measure)"; exceedingly, "overflowing" (used only in Mk 7:37). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom huper and perissós Definition beyond measure, exceedingly NASB Translation utterly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5249: ὑπερπερισσῶςὑπερπερισσῶς, adverb, beyond measure, exceedingly: Mark 7:37. Scarcely found elsewhere. Topical Lexicon Word Family and Semantic Range ὑπερπερισσῶς expresses the idea of surplus upon surplus—an overflowing degree of intensity. The root imagery evokes a river that has not merely reached its banks but has swept far beyond them. Though the adverb appears only once in the New Testament, it belongs to a family of “hyper-” terms (such as ὑπερεκπερισσου in Ephesians 3:20) that accent God’s capacity to work beyond every human expectation. Narrative Setting in Mark Mark 7:31-37 narrates the healing of a deaf-mute Gentile in the Decapolis. The crowd’s reaction—“They were utterly astonished” (Mark 7:37)—uses ὑπερπερισσῶς to convey a two-fold surplus: the miracle itself and the revelation of Christ’s identity. Jesus has just overturned Jewish purity conventions (Mark 7:1-23) and now demonstrates His liberating power in Gentile territory. The adverb heightens the reader’s awareness that Jesus’ restorative work transcends geographic, ethnic, and ritual boundaries. Theological Trajectory 1. God’s Surpassing Works. Throughout Scripture the Lord consistently reveals Himself as the One who “does wonderful things” (Psalm 72:18). ὑπερπερισσῶς gathers these threads into a single flash of insight: when God acts in Christ, the result is so far beyond the ordinary that language itself strains to keep pace. Resonances with Other Scriptures • Ephesians 3:20: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more [ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ] than all we ask or imagine…” Paul employs a cognate term to describe God’s provision for the Church. Both passages point to a God whose power overshoots the limits of human petition and comprehension. Historical Reception Early commentators such as Chrysostom highlighted the word’s intensifying force to defend the historicity of the miracles. Medieval sermon tradition drew upon Mark 7:37 to illustrate the superabundant grace available through the sacraments. Reformers emphasized the term to show that Christ’s finished work exceeds any meritorious human endeavor. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Expectant Faith. Disciples are encouraged to pray with the assurance that God’s answer will “overflow the banks.” Prayer and Praise The single occurrence of ὑπερπερισσῶς beckons believers to rehearse God’s works in overflowing language: “Lord Jesus, You have done all things well—beyond measure, beyond imagination. Open our ears to Your Word and loose our tongues for Your praise.” Forms and Transliterations υπερπερισσως υπερπερισσώς ὑπερπερισσῶς hyperperissos hyperperissôs hyperperissōs hyperperissō̂s uperperissos uperperissōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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