κεφάλαιον
kephálaion
G2774 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Principal or central matter; in general, that which is chief, main, or most important. Refers to the main point or summary in an argument or discussion; also, by extension, in financial contexts, the principal sum or capital amount.
Semantic Range
main point, principal matter, chief thing; summary, compendium, heading; principal sum (of money), capital, amount
Root / Etymology
From κεφαλή (head) with the neuter suffix -αιον, indicating 'that which pertains to or is derived from the head,' hence, 'something chief or principal.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
κεφάλαιον is used in both literary and administrative contexts in Hellenistic and Roman Greek. In classical and Hellenistic literature, it often denotes the main point of a discourse or a summary statement (e.g., a heading or summing-up of preceding arguments). In financial or legal registers, it refers to the principal amount of money, as distinct from interest (τόκος). In the New Testament (Hebrews 8:1), it is used abstractly for a 'main point' or 'chief matter' in a discussion, closely paralleling Greek rhetorical practice. Septuagint usage includes both senses, but the financial/legal meaning is more common in extra-biblical papyri. Later translation traditions often render it as 'sum,' 'main point,' or 'summary,' but such translations may not always distinguish between the abstract (the chief point) and the concrete (the amount or principal). The word stands in contrast to epílogon (ἐπίλογον, 'epilogue') or sumperásma (συμπέρασμα, 'conclusion'), marking what is principal or essential, rather than merely a conclusion.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of a derivative of κεφαλή; a principal thing, i.e. main point; specially, an amount (of money):--sum.
Root Family
κεφαλ- (kephálaion) — head, chief, principal
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G2775 | κεφαλαιόω | they struck on the head |
| G2776 | κεφαλή | heads |
| G2777 | κεφαλίς | in the scroll roll |
| G346 | ἀνακεφαλαίομαι | to sum up into one |
| G4344 | προσκεφάλαιον | a head-cushion |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2774-01 |
κεφάλαιον | kephalaion | N NOM N SG |
main point | the principal matter | the principal matter | 1 |
G2774-02 |
κεφαλαίου | kephalaiou | N GEN N SG |
sum | of the principal matter | of money | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2774-02 |
Acts 22:28 | κεφαλαίου | kephalaiou | N GEN N SG |
sum | of the principal matter | of money |
G2774-01 |
Hebrews 8:1 | κεφάλαιον | kephalaion | N NOM N SG |
main point | the principal matter | the principal matter |