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ἐπίτροπος

epítropos

G2012 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A person placed in authority over the affairs or property of another; most commonly, an administrator or steward entrusted with the management of a household or estate. Occasionally, one who acts as a guardian or trustee, especially for minors. Depending on context, also one commissioned with oversight within civic, official, or financial matters.

Semantic Range

overseer, administrator of household or estate, steward, estate manager, guardian of a minor, appointed official, commissioner, agent with entrusted authority

Root / Etymology

From ἐπί ('over, upon') + τρέπω/τρόπος ('to turn, direction, manner'), through the intermediary noun ἐπιτροπή ('commission, stewardship, authority'). ἐπίτροπος thus denotes one to whom authority or oversight has been entrusted. This compound is well attested in both classical and Koine Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek (from 5th c. BCE), ἐπίτροπος was used broadly for any overseer, guardian, or steward, whether within the context of household, government, or temple administration. In the Hellenistic period and LXX usage, it often designated one entrusted with management—especially in the sense of a guardian for orphans or an administrator for an estate. In the New Testament (cf. Galatians 4:2), the word occurs specifically in the context of a minor under the supervision of guardians and managers, emphasizing legal and fiduciary responsibility until the minor reaches maturity. The English words 'steward,' 'guardian,' and 'tutor' appear in major translations but each captures only part of the word's historical sense: 'tutor' (in the archaic sense of guardian, not instructor) and 'steward' are both valid, though 'guardian' is often most precise when the context involves legal oversight. The semantic range remains broader in Greek than any single English equivalent fully conveys. Distinct from παιδαγωγός ('child-leader, guardian with personal care'), ἐπίτροπος focuses more on official or managerial oversight than day-to-day accompaniment or instruction.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and τρόπος (in the sense of ἐπιτροπή); a commissioner, i.e. domestic manager, guardian:--steward, tutor.

Root Family

ἐπίτροπος (epitropos) — entrusted overseer, steward, administrator, guardian

Root ἐπιτρόπ- to entrust authority, to oversee, to manage

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2012-02 ἐπιτρόπου epitropou N GEN M SG steward of the entrusted administrator of the steward 1
G2012-01 ἐπιτρόπῳ epitropo N DAT M SG foreman to the entrusted steward steward 1
G2012-03 ἐπιτρόπους epitropous N ACC M PL guardians entrusted overseers entrusted overseers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2012-01 Matthew 20:8 ἐπιτρόπῳ epitropo N DAT M SG foreman to the entrusted steward steward
G2012-02 Luke 8:3 ἐπιτρόπου epitropou N GEN M SG steward of the entrusted administrator of the steward
G2012-03 Galatians 4:2 ἐπιτρόπους epitropous N ACC M PL guardians entrusted overseers entrusted overseers
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