Brief Overview of ἄρχων (G758: archōn)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Archōn

Root Words:

• ἄρχω (archō): To rule or to begin.
• ἄρχων (archōn) is derived from this root, indicating a person who holds a position of authority or governance.

Primary Meanings:

• Ruler or Magistrate: A leader or official who exercises authority or governance, often in a political or judicial capacity.
• Chief or Leader: Someone who holds a prominent or leading position within a group or society.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἄρχων as:

• Ruler or Magistrate: A person who holds an official position of authority, such as a governor, chief, or magistrate, particularly in ancient Greek city-states.
• Chief or Leader: Someone who is the head or leader of a specific group or organization.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἄρχων as:

• Ruler or Chief: An official or leader, often used in the context of political or judicial roles.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary states:

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• Ruler: A term for someone in a position of authority or leadership, particularly in government or law.

LSJ: LSJ gives:

• Ruler or Magistrate: Focuses on the role of an official or leader within a city-state or community.

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

• Ruler or Leader: Emphasizes its use for those holding significant positions of authority.

Bible Verses:

• Matthew 9:34 (KJV): “But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.”
• Here, ἄρχων is translated as “prince,” referring to a ruler or authority figure.
• John 3:1 (KJV): “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.”
• In this verse, ἄρχων is used to denote Nicodemus as a leader or magistrate.
• Acts 13:50 (KJV): “But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.”
• ἄρχων is translated as “chief men,” indicating influential leaders or officials.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

• Aristotle’s Politics: Uses ἄρχων to describe various forms of governance and the roles of rulers within different political systems.
• Plato’s Republic: References ἄρχων in the context of political leaders and their roles in maintaining justice and order in society.
• Herodotus’ Histories: Applies ἄρχων to describe rulers and leaders within the Persian Empire and Greek city-states.

4. Summary:

ἄρχων (G758: archōn) primarily refers to a ruler or magistrate, someone who holds a position of authority, whether in a political, judicial, or societal context. The term is rooted in the concept of ruling or leading, with its use reflecting both governance and leadership roles. BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, and Strong’s all emphasize its meaning related to authority and leadership, while classic Greek literature showcases its application in various contexts of political and social leadership.