Word Study for G5274 (ὑπολαμβάνω)

hypolambánō /hoop-ol-am-ban'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ὑπό and λαμβάνω

Meaningto take from below, i.e. carry upward; figuratively, to take up, i.e. continue a discourse or topic; mentally, to assume (presume)

KJV usageanswer, receive, suppose.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of hypolambánō — 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 hypolambánō, represented by G5274, comes from the words ὑπό and λαμβάνω. It literally means to take from below or carry upward, but is also used figuratively to mean continuing a discourse or mentally assuming something. It appears 4 times in 4 unique verses, where its translation varies between "receive," "suppose," and "answer."

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The uses of G5274 demonstrate its versatility. In the account of the ascension, a cloud G3507 received G5274 Jesus out of the disciples' sight, a literal upward action Acts 1:9. In a figurative sense, it is used for mental assumption. In Acts, Peter refutes the crowd's accusation by saying the disciples are not drunken G3184 as they suppose G5274 Acts 2:15. Simon the Pharisee also uses the word to suppose G5274 which debtor would love his creditor more, a conclusion Jesus affirms as rightly judged Luke 7:43. Finally, it can mean to take up a topic, as when Jesus G2424 answering G5274 a question, began the parable of the man who fell among thieves Luke 10:30.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context of G5274:

G1869 epaírō (to raise up): This word is used to describe Jesus being taken up just before the cloud received G5274 him, highlighting the physical, upward movement of the ascension Acts 1:9.
G2919 krínō (properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide): After Simon makes his supposition G5274, Jesus tells him he has judged G2919 correctly, showing that a mental assumption can lead to a right decision Luke 7:43.
G3027 lēistḗs (a brigand): This word identifies the thieves who wounded the traveler, setting the scene for the parable that Jesus "takes up" or answers G5274 with Luke 10:30.
G3184 methýō (to drink to intoxication, i.e. get drunk): This is the specific, incorrect assumption that the crowd makes, which Peter addresses when he says, "as ye suppose G5274" Acts 2:15.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G5274 lies in the contrast between divine action and human perception.

Divine Reality: The word describes the final, visible act of Christ's earthly ministry as a cloud received G5274 Him into heaven. This is presented as an observed, factual event Acts 1:9.
Human Assumption: In contrast, the word is twice used for human supposition, which can be incorrect. Peter must correct the crowd's wrong supposition G5274 that the disciples are drunk Acts 2:15.
Affirmed Understanding: The word also shows that human assumption is not always wrong. When Simon supposes G5274 correctly about forgiveness and love, Jesus affirms his judgment, bridging the gap between human reasoning and divine truth Luke 7:43.
Initiating Teaching: When Jesus is answering G5274, He is not just giving a simple reply but is taking up the discourse to provide a profound spiritual lesson in the form of a parable Luke 10:30.

Summary

In summary, G5274 is a multifaceted term that moves between the literal and the figurative. It describes the physical reception of Christ into heaven, the mental act of making a supposition, and the verbal act of continuing a discourse. Its usage underscores the difference between divine certainty and human assumption, while also showing how God can affirm right understanding and use questions as an opportunity for deeper teaching.

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 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
Present Active Infinitive 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
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 4 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke and Acts (2 verses each); never once in the other 25.

Luke

Acts

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.