ἡγεμονεύω
hēgemoneúō
G2230 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To serve as governor, to hold authoritative administrative office, especially in a provincial or civic capacity. The term primarily signifies exercising official authority as a provincial governor or ruler, carrying out duties of governance and maintaining order.
Semantic Range
to serve as governor, to act as ruler, to preside in an official administrative capacity, to exercise authority as provincial administrator
Root / Etymology
From ἡγεμών (hēgemōn, 'leader', 'governor'), which derives from the root ἡγέομαι (hēgeomai, 'to lead'). The verb ἡγεμονεύω is formed with the -εύω suffix, indicating 'to act as' or 'to function as' the noun base (in this case, as a leader or governor).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἡγεμονεύω is rare and primarily found in official or historical contexts, referring to the exercise of civil authority. In Koine Greek, particularly in the New Testament and other contemporary literature, it describes the occupation of a governor's office under the Roman administration, especially in relation to figures such as Pontius Pilate or other provincial authorities over Judea and surrounding regions. The term does not inherently convey any specific ethnic, geopolitical, or religious connotation beyond the office held. In the Septuagint, usage is limited, typically rendering terms for administrative leadership. The standard English translation 'be governor' captures the core administrative sense, but the Greek term's context often implies the Roman (or occasionally Hellenistic) bureaucracy rather than a native Israelite or Judean ruler.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἡγεμών; to act as ruler:--be governor.
Root Family
ἡγεμον- (hēgemoneúō) — to lead, to govern, to rule
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G2231 | ἡγεμονία | of the governorship |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2230-01 |
ἡγεμονεύοντος | egemoneuontos | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG |
governing | of the one serving as governor | governing | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2230-01 |
Luke 2:2 | ἡγεμονεύοντος | egemoneuontos | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG |
governing | of the one serving as governor | governing |
G2230-01 |
Luke 3:1 | ἡγεμονεύοντος | egemoneuontos | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG |
governing | of the one serving as governor | governing |