ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος
allotriepískopos
G244 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
One who takes an inappropriate or intrusive interest in affairs belonging to others; meddler, busybody—specifically a person who involves themselves in matters outside their legitimate concern or authority. In context, denotes someone acting as a self-appointed overseer in areas outside their proper jurisdiction, particularly with the nuance of violating boundaries of social, legal, or religious affairs.
Semantic Range
one who intrudes into others' concerns, meddler, unauthorized overseer, one who takes authority outside their sphere, busybody, meddling in legal, social, private, or communal affairs
Root / Etymology
From ἀλλότριος (belonging to another, foreign) and ἐπίσκοπος (overseer); literally, 'overseer in things belonging to others.' Formed as a compound in Koine Greek; not attested in earlier classical sources.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος is rare and appears in extant literature only in 1 Peter 4:15, lacking broader attestation in classical or Hellenistic Greek. The word is a negative formation, contrasting with ἐπίσκοπος, which denotes legitimate oversight or care within a proper sphere, such as a community leader or guardian. Here, the prefix ἀλλοτρι- ('belonging to another') emphasizes the wrongful encroachment into domains not one’s own, thus framing the person as a meddler or usurper in others' business. The context in 1 Peter contrasts this with other terms for criminal or immoral behavior, suggesting a broad sense of inappropriate social interference, which could range from legal jurisdictions to personal or community matters. Standard translations like "busybody" or "meddler in other men's matters" often capture the sense, but may not fully convey the original imagery of illegitimate oversight. There is no direct parallel with a standard administrative or religious office; rather, it emphasizes social boundary transgression. The word's formation and context suggest opprobrium and disapproval, marking it as an undesirable and improper role.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀλλότριος and ἐπίσκοπος; overseeing others' affairs, i.e. a meddler (specially, in Gentile customs):--busybody in other men's matters.
Root Family
ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος (allotriepiskopos) — belonging to another, overseeing, supervising
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G244-01 |
ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος | allotriepiskopos | N NOM M SG |
a meddler | intrusive overseer of others’ affairs | intrusive overseer of others’ affairs | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G244-01 |
1 Peter 4:15 | ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος | allotriepiskopos | N NOM M SG |
a meddler | intrusive overseer of others’ affairs | intrusive overseer of others’ affairs |