Brief Overview of βασιλεία (G932: basileía)

1. Overview

βασιλεία (basileía), transliterated as “bah-see-LAY-ah,” is a Greek noun derived from the root word βασιλεύς (basileús), meaning “king.” The term basileía primarily refers to a “kingdom” or “realm” and extends to the authority, dominion, and sovereignty that a king or ruler exercises over a particular territory or group of people. This concept can be applied both in a literal sense, referring to a physical kingdom or nation, and in a metaphorical sense, representing spiritual rule, such as the “Kingdom of God” or “Kingdom of Heaven” in Christian theology.

2. Lexical Details

In BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich), basileía is extensively detailed as the area or realm over which a king exercises authority, which can be either a physical territory or a spiritual domain. The lexicon emphasizes the dual nature of the term, where it not only denotes the geographical extent of a kingdom but also the kingly authority and power that defines it. This duality is particularly evident in the New Testament, where basileía often refers to God’s sovereign rule, whether over the universe as a whole or in the hearts and lives of believers.

Thayer’s Lexicon aligns with BDAG in highlighting basileía as both a kingdom and the authority or rule associated with a king. Thayer’s points out that in the New Testament, basileía is frequently used to describe the Kingdom of God, a central theme in the teachings of Jesus. This usage underscores the idea that God’s reign is not limited to a specific territory but extends to all creation and is characterized by righteousness, peace, and divine authority.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary further elaborates on basileía by differentiating between the literal and metaphorical uses of the term. Vine’s explains that while basileía can refer to a political kingdom, such as the Roman Empire, its most profound use in the New Testament is in describing the Kingdom of God—a spiritual realm where God’s will is perfectly carried out. Vine’s also notes that this kingdom is both a present reality and a future hope, reflecting the “already but not yet” aspect of Christian eschatology.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) provides additional context by exploring the classical Greek usage of basileía. The lexicon notes that the term was used in various contexts to describe the reign of kings, the territory they governed, and the period during which they ruled. LSJ highlights how basileía was integral to Greek political thought, where the concept of a kingdom was central to discussions about governance, power, and the role of rulers in society.

Biblical references:

• Matthew 6:10: “Your kingdom (βασιλεία) come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This verse is part of the Lord’s Prayer, where basileía is invoked as the divine realm where God’s will is fully realized.
• Mark 1:15: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom (βασιλεία) of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Here, basileía signifies the imminent and active rule of God, as proclaimed by Jesus.
• Luke 17:20-21: “Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom (βασιλεία) of God would come, he answered them, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'” This passage highlights the spiritual nature of God’s kingdom, which is present among believers.

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, basileía was a term used to describe the realm of a king or ruler, encompassing both the physical territory and the abstract concept of royal authority.

Examples include:

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• Herodotus, Histories: Basileía is used to describe the vast empire of the Persian king, indicating both the geographical expanse and the king’s dominion over it.
• Homer, Iliad: The term is employed to refer to the kingdoms of the various Greek heroes, such as the basileía of Agamemnon, emphasizing the importance of kingly rule in Greek society.
• Plato, Republic: Plato uses basileía in discussions about the ideal state, where the philosopher-king rules with wisdom and justice, highlighting the philosophical dimension of kingship and governance.

These examples show that basileía was not just a political term but also carried significant philosophical and cultural weight in ancient Greek thought.

4. Summary

The word basileía (G932) encapsulates the concept of a kingdom, both in its literal sense as a physical territory governed by a king and in its metaphorical sense as a realm of authority and rule, particularly in the context of the Kingdom of God. In the New Testament, basileía often refers to God’s sovereign rule, which is both present and future, tangible and spiritual.