"to begin; to come into existence; to exist; to be, subsist, Acts 19:40; 28:18; to be in possession, to belong, Acts 3:6; 4:37; goods, possessions, property, Mt. 19:21; Lk. 8:3; to be, Lk. 7:25; 8:41"
Definition and meaning
to begin; to come into existence; to exist; to be, subsist, Acts 19:40; 28:18; to be in possession, to belong, Acts 3:6; 4:37; goods, possessions, property, Mt. 19:21; Lk. 8:3; to be, Lk. 7:25; 8:41
In the original Greek the word is written: ὑπάρχω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of hyparcho (G5224) across the King James Bible.
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
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Common questions
Strong's G5224 (hyparcho) is a Greek word that means: to begin; to come into existence; to exist; to be, subsist, Acts 19:40; 28:18; to be in possession, to belong, Acts 3:6; 4:37; goods, possessions, property, Mt. 19:21; Lk. 8:3; to be, Lk. 7:25; 8:41 It appears 14 times in the King James Bible.
The word hyparcho (G5224) appears 14 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5224 is hyparcho, a Greek word defined as: to begin; to come into existence; to exist; to be, subsist, Acts 19:40; 28:18; to be in possession, to belong, Acts 3:6; 4:37; goods, possessions, pro. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hyparcho is a Greek word found in the New Testament.