G4173
πολιτάρχης
a town-officer, i.e. magistrate
Transliteration
politárchēsPronunciation
(pol-it-ar'-khace)Everything you need to know.
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a town-officer, i.e. magistrate
πολιτάρχης(politárchēs)
Strong’s Definition
a town-officer, i.e. magistrate
from G4172 (πόλις) and G757 (ἄρχω);
“And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;”
No verses found containing this word study ID.
Strong's G4173: A compound noun meaning "city ruler" or "magistrate," specifically referring to civil authorities in Macedonian cities. The term combines "city" (polis) and "ruler" (archōn), describing officials who maintained civic order and administered justice in cities like Thessalonica.
U- Unveiling the Word
Πολιτάρχης represents a specific type of civil authority in Macedonian cities during the New Testament period. As a compound word combining "city" and "ruler," it accurately describes local government officials who maintained order and administered justice. Its appearance in Acts demonstrates Luke's historical accuracy in describing local governance structures. The early church recognized these officials as legitimate civil authorities to whom Christians owed appropriate respect while maintaining ultimate allegiance to Christ.
N - Necessary Information
Etymology:
D - Defining Meanings
For compound words:
πόλις provides the sphere of authority (city), while ἄρχω indicates the function of ruling/governing
Translation Options:
E - Exploring Similar Words
R - Reviewing the Word's Morphology
Examples:
Singular:
S - Studying Lexicon Insights
BDAG emphasizes its specific Macedonian context. Thayer's notes its administrative function. LSJ traces its usage in civic contexts. Vine's highlights its historical accuracy. Strong's connects it to civil authority. Moulton and Milligan document its confirmation in inscriptions.
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T - Tracing the Scriptures
First Appearance:
Acts 17:6: "And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities [πολιτάρχας], crying out, 'These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.'"
Additional References:
Acts 17:8
A - Analyzing Classical Usage
N - Noteworthy Summary
Πολιτάρχης demonstrates how the gospel encountered and interacted with civic authorities, reminding us that the message of Jesus Christ impacts all levels of society. It proclaims the good news that while we respect earthly authorities, our ultimate citizenship and allegiance belong to Christ's kingdom.
D - Did You Know?
Strong's G4173: A compound noun meaning "city ruler" or "magistrate," specifically referring to civil authorities in Macedonian cities. The term combines "city" (polis) and "ruler" (archōn), describing officials who maintained civic order and administered justice in cities like Thessalonica.
Part of speech: Noun
Tags: magistrate, city ruler, civil authority, Macedonian government, Thessalonica, Acts, civic leadership, municipal authority, Biblical Greek, New Testament terminology, historical accuracy, archaeology