Word Study for G5265 (ὑποδέω)

hypodéō /hoop-od-eh'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ὑπό and δέω

Meaningto bind under one's feet, i.e. put on shoes or sandals

KJV usagebind on, (be) shod.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of hypodéō — 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 hypodéō, represented by G5265, means to bind under one's feet, specifically to put on shoes or sandals. It appears 3 times in 3 unique verses, illustrating a transition from a literal instruction to a profound spiritual metaphor for readiness.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G5265 is used in contexts of preparation and commission. In Mark, Jesus commands his disciples to "be shod with sandals" for their missionary journey Mark 6:9. In Acts, an angel G32 gives a direct command to Peter in prison: "Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals," preparing him for a miraculous escape Acts 12:8. The most significant usage is figurative, where believers are instructed to have their "feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace," as part of their spiritual armor Ephesians 6:15.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the act of being shod:

G4547 sandálion (a slipper or sole-pad): This is the object being bound to the feet, appearing in both the literal commands given to the disciples and to Peter (Mark 6:9, Acts 12:8).
G4024 perizṓnnymi (to gird all around): This action is paired with being shod in Acts 12:8, where the angel instructs Peter to "Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals," indicating a complete state of readiness.
G1746 endýō (to invest with clothing): This word for putting on clothes is contrasted with G5265 in Mark 6:9, where disciples are told to be shod but not put on two coats, and it is also used for putting on the armor of God Ephesians 6:11.
G2091 hetoimasía (preparation): In the figurative sense, this is what the feet are shod with G1722, specifically the preparation of the gospel of peace Ephesians 6:15.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G5265 lies in its connection to action and spiritual preparedness.

Readiness for Mission: The command to be shod is never passive; it is always in preparation for a journey or a task. For the disciples, it was for preaching, and for Peter, it was for following the angel out of prison (Mark 6:9, Acts 12:8).
Foundation in the Gospel: In Ephesians, having feet shod with the preparation G2091 of the gospel G2098 of peace G1515 provides the stable footing a believer needs to stand firm in spiritual battles Ephesians 6:15.
An Act of Obedience: In each instance, being shod is the result of a direct command. Peter's immediate obedience to the angel's instruction, "And so he did" Acts 12:8, precedes his deliverance and ability to follow G190 the messenger.

Summary

In summary, G5265 is a word that moves from the practical to the profound. It signifies more than just putting on footwear; it represents a state of readiness initiated by a divine command. Whether for a literal journey or for standing firm in spiritual warfare, to be shod is to be prepared and equipped for the path ahead.

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 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Middle Imperative 2nd Singular 1×
Aorist Middle Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Perfect Middle Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

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.

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

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Mark, Acts, and Ephesians (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

Mark

Acts

Ephesians

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.