Brief Overview of ἀρχιτελώνης (G754: architelōnēs)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Architelōnēs

Root Words:

• ἄρχων (archōn): Ruler, chief, or leader.
• τελώνης (telōnēs): Tax collector or publican.

Primary Meanings:

• Chief Tax Collector: The term ἀρχιτελώνης refers to a principal or chief tax collector, someone with authority over other tax collectors or who manages tax collection at a higher level.
• High-Ranking Official: It can denote a high-ranking public official responsible for overseeing tax collection and financial administration.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG describes ἀρχιτελώνης as:

• Chief Tax Collector: A senior position in tax collection, typically overseeing other tax collectors and managing significant tax duties.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines ἀρχιτελώνης as:

• Chief Tax Collector: This term indicates a person who holds the highest office among tax collectors, responsible for supervising and coordinating tax collection.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary notes:

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• Principal Tax Official: Refers to a leading figure in tax collection, with authority over a group of tax collectors.

LSJ: LSJ provides a similar definition:

• Chief Tax Collector: Describes someone with a superior role in tax collection, overseeing and directing the activities of lower-ranking collectors.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s identifies ἀρχιτελώνης as:

• Chief Tax Collector: A top-ranking official in the tax collection system, with significant administrative responsibilities.

Bible Verses:

• Luke 19:2 (KJV): “And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.”
• This verse uses ἀρχιτελώνης to describe Zacchaeus, indicating his role as a chief tax collector.
• Luke 19:5 (KJV): “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.”
• Zacchaeus, as an ἀρχιτελώνης, is a key figure in the context of tax collection and Jesus’ interaction with him.
• Matthew 18:17 (KJV): “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
• The term publican in this verse reflects the role of tax collectors, though it does not specifically use ἀρχιτελώνης, it provides context to the function of tax collectors.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

• Aristophanes’ Acharnians: In this comedic play, references to tax collectors reflect the role and social perception of such figures, similar to the ἀρχιτελώνης in terms of their duties and status.
• Xenophon’s Oeconomicus: Discusses economic and administrative roles, providing context to the management and hierarchical structure of financial officials, including positions like the ἀρχιτελώνης.
• Plato’s Republic: While not directly mentioning ἀρχιτελώνης, it provides insight into the governance and administrative roles of officials, including tax collectors, reflecting their importance in society.

4. Summary:

ἀρχιτελώνης (G754: architelōnēs) denotes a chief tax collector or high-ranking official in tax collection, responsible for overseeing and managing the tax collection process. BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, and Strong’s all confirm its meaning as a principal figure in tax administration. Classic Greek literature, while not always using the term directly, provides relevant context to the role and significance of such officials in the administration and economic system of ancient Greece.