ὑπεραίρω G5229
to lift oneself above, exalt oneself over others; in middle voice, to be exalted or elevated in pride
This verb describes the act of lifting oneself up or being elevated above others, typically in a negative sense of pride or arrogance. Paul uses it twice in the same verse (2 Corinthians 12:7) to describe being 'exalted above measure' by revelations, a temptation checked by his thorn in the flesh. The Antichrist figure in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 'exalts himself above' all that is called God. The multilingual evidence consistently captures this sense of prideful elevation: Spanish 'enaltezca' (exalt), French 's'élever' (rise up), German 'sich-ueberheben' (overreach oneself).
Senses
1. sense 1 — The reflexive middle voice emphasizes self-exaltation, lifting oneself above proper bounds through pride. The usage in 2 Corinthians 12:7 warns against spiritual pride from revelations, while 2 Thessalonians 2:4 depicts eschatological arrogance in opposing God. The consistent reflexive sense across translations—Spanish 'se exalta,' French 's'élever'—highlights the self-directed nature of this prideful elevation, distinguishing it from passive exaltation by others. 3×
AR["أَتَرَفَّعَ", "المُتَرَفِّعُ"]·ben["অহংকারী-হই", "অহংকারী-হই।", "যে-নিজেকে-উচ্চ-করে"]·DE["sich-ueberheben"]·EN["I-might-be-exalted", "exalting-himself"]·FR["s'élever", "ὑπεραιρόμενος"]·heb["אֶתְגַּאֶה", "מִתְנַשֵּׂא"]·HI["अपने-अअप-को-ओओनच-करने-वअल", "मैं-घमण्डी-होऊं"]·ID["aku-menyombongkan-diri", "meninggikan-diri"]·IT["innalzarsi", "uperairomenos"]·jav["kula-ngunggulaken-dhiri", "nyombongaken"]·KO["높아지지-않게", "높이는-자라"]·PT["me-exaltasse", "me-exalte", "que-se-exalta"]·RU["превозносился-я", "превозносящийся"]·ES["me-enaltezca", "que-se-exalta"]·SW["anayejiinua", "kujinua,", "kujinua."]·TR["aşırı-yükseleyim", "yükselten"]·urd["اپنے-آپ-کو-بڑھانے-والا", "غرور-کروں"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ὑπεραίρω, lift or raise up over, εἰς τὸν ἔξω τόπον τὴν τοῦ ἡνιόχου κεφαλήν Refs 5th c.BC+; ἑρμάτων ὑ. τὸ σκάφος over the rocks, Refs 2nd c.AD+; ὑ. τὸ φθέγμα raise it very high, Refs 2nd c.AD+:—middle, lift oneself or rise above, πάντων Refs W.: absolutely, to be lifted up, NT; give oneself airs, be coy, Refs 5th c.AD+; exalt oneself above, ἐπὶ θεόν NT __2 heighten, ναῦν τοίχοις Refs 2nd c.AD+…