The Greek word hýpandros, represented by G5220, defines the status of a woman who is in subjection under a man, i.e. a married woman. Its extreme rarity, appearing only 1 times in 1 unique verses, highlights its specific use as a legal and relational descriptor. The term is built from the words ὑπό (under) and ἀνήρ (man), directly conveying the concept of being under a husband's authority.
The single appearance of G5220 is in Romans 7:2, where it serves as a precise legal illustration. The verse states that "the woman which hath an husband G5220 is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth". This establishes a direct link between marriage, a binding law, and the condition of life. The principle is immediately contrasted with the result of death, where if the husband is dead, the woman "is loosed from the law of her husband" Romans 7:2.
Several related words in its sole context clarify its meaning:
- G1135 gynḗ (a woman; specially, a wife): This word identifies the subject of the legal principle in Romans 7:2. It is used broadly for both a woman in general Luke 7:50 and specifically as a wife Ephesians 5:25.
- G1210 déō (to bind): This verb describes the legal connection of the married woman to her husband. It carries the figurative sense of a binding obligation, similar to its use regarding spiritual authority where what is bound on earth is bound in heaven Matthew 16:19.
- G3551 nómos (law): This is the framework that enforces the bond. It can refer to the law of Moses, but is also used figuratively for a governing principle, such as "the law of sin and death" Romans 8:2 or "the law of Christ" Galatians 6:2.
- G2673 katargéō (to be (render) entirely idle (useless)...abolish, cease...loose): This is the result of the husband's death, signifying release. The word denotes a complete nullification, as in Christ having abolished death 2 Timothy 1:10 or being delivered from the law Romans 7:6.
The theological weight of G5220 is derived entirely from its role as an analogy.
- A Legal Analogy: The primary theological function of G5220 is to provide a clear, human-level analogy for a complex spiritual truth. The fixed legal state of a married woman illustrates how a person can be bound to a law, such as the law of Moses Romans 7:2.
- Freedom Through Death: The use of G5220 is inseparable from the concept that death ends a legal obligation. The death of the husband looses G2673 the wife from the law. This directly parallels how believers are "delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held" Romans 7:6.
- Conditionality of a Bond: The word underscores that a legal bond can be conditional. The woman is bound to her husband only as long as he liveth G2198. This highlights that the binding power of the old law is not eternal but is superseded by the new reality brought about by death and resurrection.
In summary, hýpandros G5220 is a highly specific term whose significance comes from its singular, illustrative use. While it simply means "a married woman," its role in Romans 7:2 is to be the cornerstone of an analogy explaining the relationship between law, life, and death. It demonstrates how a binding legal state is nullified by death, providing a tangible picture for the believer's release from the law of sin and death through Christ. The word is a powerful example of how scripture uses a common human relationship to explain a profound theological shift.
TRV