English · KJV
G5237

ὑπερείδω

hypereídō /hoop-er-i'-do/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ὑπέρ and εἴδω
Meaningto overlook, i.e. not punish
KJV usagewink at.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of hypereídō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word hypereídō, represented by G5237, means to overlook or not punish, often translated as to wink at. It is a rare term, appearing only 1 times in 1 unique verses in the Bible. The word is formed from ὑπέρ and εἴδω, conveying the idea of looking over something, in this case, a period of human ignorance.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of G5237 is in Acts 17:30, which states that God winked at the times of ignorance but now issues a new command. This action of "winking at" describes a period when God chose not to punish humanity's lack of knowledge. The verse establishes a clear contrast between God's past posture of overlooking this ignorance and His present command for all people to repent.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its only context in Acts 17:30 clarify its meaning:

  • G52 ágnoia (ignorance): This is the specific condition that God previously winked at or overlooked.
  • G5550 chrónos (times): This word establishes that God's overlooking of ignorance G52 pertained to a specific space of time or interval.
  • G3340 metanoéō (repent): This is the new, universal command that follows the period of being winked at, marking a required change in thinking.
  • G2316 theós (God): The term identifies the supreme Divinity as the one who formerly winked at ignorance and now commands repentance.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G5237 is concentrated in its single use, highlighting a significant shift in divine administration.

  • Divine Forbearance: The act of "winking at" signifies God's patience and forbearance during past "times of this ignorance" G52 Acts 17:30.
  • A New Dispensation: The use of "but now" G3569 in Acts 17:30 signals a decisive turning point. The era of God overlooking ignorance has concluded.
  • Universal Mandate: God's shift from "winking at" to actively commanding G3853 underscores the new requirement for all G3956 men G444 every where G3837 to repent G3340.

Summary

In summary, G5237 is a concise and powerful term for divine forbearance. Its single biblical appearance in Acts 17:30 is pivotal, defining a historical moment of transition. The word illustrates the shift from an era where God overlooked human ignorance G52 to a new covenant reality where a universal call to repent G3340 is commanded by God G2316 for all humanity.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • 2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G52 ἄγνοια from ἀγνοέω; ignorance (properly, the quality):--ignorance. G5550 χρόνος of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from καιρός, which designates a fi G3340 μετανοέω from μετά and νοιέω; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction):--repent. G2316 θεός of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very: G3569 τανῦν from neuter plural of ὁ and νῦν; the things now, i.e. (adverbially) at present:--(but) now. G3853 παραγγέλλω from παρά and the base of ἄγγελος; to transmit a message, i.e. (by implication) to enjoin:--(give in) charge, (give) com

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Acts — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.