1. Overview

βασιλεύω (basileúō), transliterated as “bah-see-LYOO-oh,” is a Greek verb that primarily means “to reign,” “to rule as king,” or “to exercise kingly power.” The word is derived from the noun βασιλεύς (basileús), which means “king.” The verb basileúō is used to describe the action of ruling or governing as a monarch, often with the connotation of possessing absolute or supreme authority. In the New Testament, this word is frequently used to refer to both earthly kingship and the reign of Christ as the sovereign ruler over all creation.

2. Lexical Details

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich) defines basileúō as “to rule as king” or “to be king.” BDAG emphasizes that the verb conveys the idea of exercising authority and governance, whether over a specific territory or over a broader domain. The lexicon highlights the use of basileúō in the New Testament to describe both the temporal reign of earthly kings and the eternal reign of God and Christ. BDAG also notes that the verb can imply a future reign, particularly in eschatological contexts where Christ’s ultimate kingship is foretold.

Thayer’s Lexicon agrees with BDAG’s definition and expands on the nuances of basileúō by noting that it can also mean “to be a queen” in certain contexts, though this usage is rare. Thayer’s points out that the verb is used in both a literal sense—referring to actual ruling monarchs—and a figurative sense, where it can describe the reign of sin or righteousness in a person’s life.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary concurs with the definitions provided by BDAG and Thayer, emphasizing the importance of basileúō in describing the reign of Christ. Vine’s notes that this verb is significant in the context of the Kingdom of God, where Christ’s reign is both a present reality and a future expectation. The dictionary also highlights the verb’s use in describing the reign of believers with Christ in the eschaton.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) provides additional insight into the classical usage of basileúō, noting that it was a common verb in ancient Greek literature to describe the act of ruling or governing. LSJ also mentions that basileúō could be used metaphorically to describe dominance or control in various contexts, not limited to political or royal power.

Biblical references:

• Romans 5:17: “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned (ἐβασίλευσεν) through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign (βασιλεύσουσιν) in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”
• Revelation 11:15: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign (βασιλεύσει) forever and ever.”
• 1 Corinthians 15:25: “For he must reign (βασιλεύειν) until he has put all his enemies under his feet.”

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, basileúō was frequently used to describe the act of ruling or governing by kings and other sovereigns. The verb conveyed the authority and power associated with kingship, often with an emphasis on the legitimacy or divine right of the ruler.

• Homer, Iliad: Homer uses basileúō to describe the rule of kings like Agamemnon, who exercises authority over the Greek forces during the Trojan War.
• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus uses basileúō in his descriptions of the Persian kings, such as Darius and Xerxes, emphasizing their dominance over vast empires and numerous subjects.
• Sophocles, Antigone: In this tragedy, basileúō is used to describe the reign of King Creon, whose decisions and authority are central to the play’s conflict.

These examples from classical literature demonstrate that basileúō was not only a term for political authority but also carried connotations of moral and ethical governance, as well as the challenges of maintaining power.

4. Summary

The verb basileúō (G936) is a crucial term in both classical and biblical Greek, signifying the act of reigning or ruling as a king. Derived from basileús (king), the verb encapsulates the exercise of authority and governance, whether by earthly monarchs or by Christ, the King of Kings. Lexical sources like BDAG, Thayer’s, and Vine’s emphasize the verb’s significance in describing both temporal and eternal reigns, particularly in relation to Christ’s sovereignty over all creation. In classical literature, basileúō was used to describe the rule of kings and rulers, often with an emphasis on their divine right or legitimacy. The use of basileúō in the New Testament elevates its meaning, pointing to the ultimate reign of Christ in both the present and the eschatological future. This word remains central to understanding the concepts of kingship, authority, and divine governance in both historical and theological contexts.