[Greek] ὑπερβαίνω (hyperbainō), [Latin] supergrediere: to sin against, to transgress, to wrong, to overstep; 1Thess.4:6
Threshold of Paradise: painting by Victor Vasnetsov (1885). Many entering into the threshold of heaven.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to step over, to transgress, to overflow, to exceed over, to break in, to overlook, to transcend, to leave unnoticed, to fall on something, to ignore, to be silent, and to exceed the truth. This term is used in a spatial, figurative, and metaphorical sense. Homer’s Odyssey 8.80 states “He passed over the threshold to enquire of the oracle.” Euripides’ Ion 220 states “Is it lawful to walk into the sanctuary?” Herodotus’ The Histories 2.13 states “If the river rose as most as thirteen feet, it watered all of Egypt below Memphis.” Sophocles’ Antigone 449 states “And even so you dared overstep the law.” Isaeus’ Pyrrhus states “Here’s another proof that they do not admit the adoption of Endius ever took place, ignoring the tenancy of the last heir.” Plato’s Cratylus 415b states “The word cowardice which we have not yet discussed. We passed it by, when we ought to have examined it after courage.”
Hyperbasis (Hyperbasia): This term, meaning overreaching or overstepping, is found in various cultures:
Plato: Attempts to step across the gulf between mortals and immortals.
Persians: Attempts to enlarge the empire or to provoke allies.
Sophocles: Humanistic attempts in failing to recognize the limits in life.
Hellenistic Jews: Refers to God’s passing over the Israelites’ houses in Egypt.
Old Testament: This term can be used in a spatial, figurative, and moral sense. This essentially means to cross over, to pass, surpass, and to overlook. Neither the priest of Dagon nor others tread on the threshold of Dagon (1Kgs.5:5). By the help of God I leap over a wall (2Kgs. 22:30). The wicked remove landmarks; they steal away herds (Job 24:2). Should he come near me, I see him not (Job 9:11). God remembers who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency (Mic.7:18). You have fixed the limit which he cannot pass (Job 14:5).
New Testament: This term means to take advantage of, to transgress against, and to wrong someone. These actions pertain to ruthless defrauding, exploiting, disregarding, overreaching, or acting against one’s brother in business matters. God, who will avenge such activities, encourages one to seek forgiveness.
“Not to take advantage of or exploit a brother in this matter, for the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you before and solemnly affirmed.” 1Thess.4:6
God warns against exploitation against others. God will remember such actions.
Etymology: The Greek verb hyperbaino essentially means to walk (-baino) over (hyper-). Basis is a bottom, step, foundation, or base that where one stands. The Latin verb supergrediere means to step over, exceed, or surpass. The Latin aggressum is the past participle of base verb aggrediere. This term is therefore related with aggressive and aggression.
Conclusion:
Basis, hyberbasis, aggression, aggressive
In Greek Hellenism, it was interesting to discover the many meanings of this term. Some of the more nuanced meanings include overstepping the law, being silent, leaving unnoticed, overlooking something, erring, and ignoring. Hyperbasis, recognized in various cultures, conceptionally means an over-reaching or overstepping.
In the Old Testament, hyperbasis is related to passing over. Stepping over (or crossing over) can be related to entry into sacred or sacrilegious grounds. In a theological sense, this term can refer to overlooking and forgiving.
In the New Testament, this term can refer to transgressing or taking advantage of. It is important to note that scripture mentions that God will remember (avenge) those who exploit.
Useless Word Alert —
Supergression: The process of going to far or doing more than what is required. (Sounds like the obsolete forerunner of the expression “jumping the shark”.)
Update: The Democrats, Progressives, Liberals, and the media continue to overreach and overstep by promoting:
Critical Race Theory: One cannot accomplish anything because you are being oppressed and because others do not realize that they are racist or privileged. (Parents are now really pushing back against this toxic indoctrination.)
Packing the courts: More and more of us are understanding that this is nothing more than a blatant power play to perpetuate Democratic and Progressive legislation.
Defunding the police: It is really incredible that people are still advocating these policies while crime continues to increase. (These advocates still have no basis (of reality) in understanding the consequences of undermining the police.)
Transgender sports: These transgender girls still have men’s muscles. (So much for having an equal playing field with woman and girl athletes.)
Redefining infrastructure: The Democrats and Progressives keep pushing the definition of infrastructure further to include their liberal agenda.
Voter reform legislation: It is not racist to insist on requiring voter ID when voting. It is not racist to insist that one votes in the correct district. It is not racist to insist that ballots are given to only authorized personnel (not political operatives) to prevent ballot harvesting. It is implicitly racist to insist that Blacks and Latinos must continue to have these provisions (because they are not capable otherwise?) Kamala, do you hear this?
More and more of us see that these Democrats and Progressives are continuing to jump the shark, missing the mark and beginning to sink in the court of public opinion.
Next post: Straying and deflecting