Hupostrepho describes going back to a place, person, or prior condition, and can also describe turning back from a received command.

The verb predominantly marks people going back to a named place, home, or another person after travel or an event. In two contexts it extends beyond physical movement to a return to a prior condition or a turning back from a command.

1. Going back to a place or person · dominant

   The verb commonly marks completed or ongoing travel back: in Acts 1:12 the APB renders the disciples' movement from Olivet to Jerusalem as “returned,” while in Luke 1:56 it renders Mary's departure to her house the same way. In Luke 8:39 the present active singular form directs a man toward his house; in Hebrews 7:1, a present active participle describes Abraham as he was returning from the kings' slaughter.

   Acts 1:12Luke 1:56Luke 8:39Acts 21:6Luke 17:15Hebrews 7:1
2. Turning back to a prior condition or course · rare

   In 2 Peter 2:21, the aorist active infinitive occurs in the clause that the APB renders “to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.” In Acts 13:34, the present active infinitive is used of not returning to decay after being raised from the dead, showing return to an earlier condition rather than travel.

   2 Peter 2:21Acts 13:34

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the travel contexts, the APB usually renders the relevant clause with “returned,” “returning,” or “return.” In 2 Peter 2:21 it uses “turn back”; These renderings confirm the clauses' overall movement or reversal without fixing a separate English equivalent in every verse.