What does ὑπόδειγμα (hypódeigma) mean in the Bible?
Hypodeigma means an example, pattern, representation, or copy set before someone. The New Testament uses it in more than one direction.
Greek · G5262
ὑπόδειγμα
An exhibit for imitation or warning (figuratively, specimen, adumbration)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
ὑπόδειγμα G5262
Pronunciation hypódeigma
What does ὑπόδειγμα (hypódeigma) mean in the Bible?
Hypodeigma means an example, pattern, representation, or copy set before someone. The New Testament uses it in more than one direction.
Reader summary
Full entry for ὑπόδειγμα (G5262) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G5262?
The BSB source-word alignment has 6 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include an example (2), [as] an example (1), [is] a copy (1), copies (1), pattern (1).
Where does ὑπόδειγμα (hypódeigma) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at John 13:15. Its strongest book concentrations include Hebrews (3), 2 Peter (1), James (1), John (1).
What This Word Actually Means
Hypodeigma means an example, pattern, representation, or copy set before someone. The New Testament uses it in more than one direction. Jesus gives His disciples an example of humble service after washing their feet. James points to the prophets as examples of patient suffering. Hebrews presents Israel's disobedience as a negative pattern and uses the term for earthly sanctuary copies related to heavenly realities.
Second Peter points to judged cities as a warning example. The noun therefore does not automatically mean a model to imitate. Some examples invite obedience, some warn against unbelief, and some explain correspondence. Teachers should identify who or what functions as the pattern, what response the author seeks, and whether the relation is ethical, cautionary, or representational before drawing application.
How the Bible Uses It
Hypodeigma names an example, pattern, copy, or warning instance, with context deciding whether readers should imitate it, avoid it, or understand an earthly correspondence.
- 2Pet.2.6
If He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly;
The destroyed cities serve as a warning example within Peter's argument about judgment.
- Heb.4.11
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
Israel's disobedience functions as a negative pattern warning the hearers to persevere in faith.
- Heb.8.5
The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
The earthly sanctuary is described in relation to the pattern shown to Moses.
- Heb.9.23
So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
The term describes earthly copies within Hebrews' contrast between sanctuary arrangements and Christ's better sacrifice.
- Jas.5.10
Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
The prophets provide a positive example of patient endurance under suffering.
- John.13.15
I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.
Jesus makes His servant action a pattern for His disciples after washing their feet.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It an example 2× John 13:15, 2 Peter 2:6
[as] an example 1× James 5:10
[is] a copy 1× Hebrews 8:5
copies 1× Hebrews 9:23
pattern 1× Hebrews 4:11
Show sample aligned rows
John 13:15 ὑπόδειγμα to an example Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Hebrews 4:11 ὑποδείγματι to pattern Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Hebrews 8:5 ὑποδείγματι to [is] a copy Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Hebrews 9:23 ὑποδείγματα to copies Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural James 5:10 Ὑπόδειγμα to [as] an example Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular 2 Peter 2:6 ὑπόδειγμα to an example Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row John 13:15
Aligned rows 6
Books represented 4
John 1 Hebrews 3 James 1 2 Peter 1
Source forms
ὑπόδειγμα 2x hypodeigma John 13:15, 2 Peter 2:6
ὑποδείγματι 2x hypodeigmati Hebrews 4:11, Hebrews 8:5
Ὑπόδειγμα 1x Hypodeigma James 5:10
ὑποδείγματα 1x hypodeigmata Hebrews 9:23
Parsing patterns
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular 3x John 13:15, James 5:10, 2 Peter 2:6
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular 2x Hebrews 4:11, Hebrews 8:5
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural 1x Hebrews 9:23
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Do not treat every hypodeigma as a positive moral example.
- Do not detach Jesus' example in John 13 from His identity, love, cleansing, and command.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim hypodeigma always commands imitation.
- Do not claim an earthly copy is identical to or independent from the reality to which it corresponds.
Evidence Summary
Greek word. Example or pattern—whether for imitation or warning—made visible and tangible for moral instruction.
Strong's G5262
Lexical occurrences 6 verses Greek text appearances 6 times Word forms 3 forms 6 references Verse guides 0 guides
Source Gloss
an exhibit for imitation or warning (figuratively, specimen, adumbration)
Extended definition Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
Example or pattern—whether for imitation or warning—made visible and tangible for moral instruction.
(ὑποδείκνυμι), [in LXX: Eze.42:15, Sir.44:16, 2Ma.6:28 2Mac 6:31, 4Ma.17:23 * ;] used by later writers (Xen. onwards) for παράδειγμα (see Rutherford, NPhr., 62),
Synonymsὁμοίωμα, τύπος, ὑποτύπωσις (see DB, iii. 696b)
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
6 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
John 13:15 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
ὑπόδειγμα upodeigma
a figure, copy, example
Read verse Hebrews 4:11 Noun Dative Singular Neuter
ὑποδείγματι upodeigmati
a figure, copy, example
Read verse Hebrews 8:5 Noun Dative Singular Neuter
ὑποδείγματι upodeigmati
a figure, copy, example
Read verse Hebrews 9:23 Noun Accusative Plural Neuter
ὑποδείγματα upodeigmata
a figure, copy, example
Read verse James 5:10 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
ὑπόδειγμα upodeigma
a figure, copy, example
Read verse 2 Peter 2:6 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
ὑπόδειγμα upodeigma
a figure, copy, example
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 3 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns 3 Aligned forms 6 Case pattern Accusative (4) Number pattern Singular (5)
Verse guides are not available for this word yet, so verse references remain plain evidence markers.
Dative · Singular · Neuter Heb 4:11 · Heb 8:5 2×
Accusative · Singular · Neuter John 13:15 · Jas 5:10 · 2 Pet 2:6 3×
Accusative · Plural · Neuter Heb 9:23 1×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Witnesses
John 13:1-17 ὑπόδειγμα hypódeigma
example, pattern
Showing 1 selected witness from 6 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
ὑπόδειγμα is built from this root:
Why This Word Matters
Model for discipleship and leadership.
For the Preacher and Teacher
Hypodeigma shows that examples teach in different ways. Jesus' foot washing is a positive pattern of humble, loving service, but it remains rooted in who He is and what He has done for His disciples. The prophets model patience under affliction. Israel's disobedience becomes a warning that calls Hebrews' hearers to persevering faith. The earthly sanctuary arrangements function as copies within Hebrews' larger argument for Christ's superior priesthood and sacrifice.
Sodom and Gomorrah serve as a sobering judgment example in Second Peter. A faithful teacher will therefore ask whether the text says imitate, avoid, or understand a correspondence. The noun directs attention to a pattern; the inspired argument explains the pattern's authority, limits, and proper response.
Anchor passage
John.13.15
Doctrinal connections
- 2Pet.2.6: judged cities function as a warning example within Peter's defense of coming judgment.
- Heb.4.11: the pattern of disobedience warns the church to pursue God's promised rest through persevering faith.
- Heb.8.5: the tabernacle follows a pattern shown to Moses and serves within an earthly copy and shadow.
- Heb.9.23: sanctuary copies stand within the contrast leading to Christ's better sacrifice.
- Jas.5.10: the prophets model patient endurance while speaking in the Lord's name.
- John.13.15: Jesus gives His disciples an example of humble service shaped by His love and lordship.
Hypodeigma is a noun for something set forth as an example, pattern, representation, or copy. The governing verb and argument determine the kind of relation.
From Old to New Testament
Scripture teaches through remembered acts, covenant warnings, prophetic endurance, and sanctuary patterns, all of which find their proper force within God's redemptive instruction.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain