κοσμοκράτωρ
kosmokrátōr
G2888 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A ruler or power exerting dominion over the world; specifically, one who holds authority over the inhabited order. Used in Greco-Roman literature for gods or powerful rulers, and in Jewish Second Temple and early Christian contexts, particularly in the plural (κοσμοκράτορες), for supernatural beings believed to exercise control over the world or its realms. In the New Testament, designates spiritual powers seen as hostile or adversarial, especially in Ephesians 6:12, referring to non-human rulers involved in cosmic conflict.
Semantic Range
world-power, one who holds dominion over the world, ruler of the cosmos, cosmic authority, supernatural ruler, spiritual power, adversarial power, demonic ruler
Root / Etymology
From κόσμος (world, order, cosmos) and κρατέω (to hold, to be strong, to rule); thus, 'one who holds power or authority over the world.' Not a compound found in earlier classical Greek; likely coined or popularized in Hellenistic and post-classical periods.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term κοσμοκράτωρ is rare, its plural form more frequently encountered in magical papyri and apocalyptic or esoteric literature to denote powerful supernatural beings or entities understood as ruling over aspects or domains of the world. In Ephesians 6:12, the only New Testament occurrence, the term is joined with other designations for spiritual powers, describing the adversaries as 'the rulers (κοσμοκράτορες) of this darkness.' Greco-Roman usage could refer to powerful deities (e.g., Helios, Sarapis, Zeus), while in later Jewish and early Christian thought, the term comes to denote spiritual powers often adversarial to the divine. English translations typically render it 'world rulers' or 'rulers,' but this may obscure the notion of non-human or cosmic agency. The word's use is distinct from secular political authority and refers more broadly to existential or spiritual dominions.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κόσμος and κρατέω; a world-ruler, an epithet of Satan:--ruler.
Root Family
κοσμοκράτωρ (kosmokratōr) — world-ruler, holder of dominion, cosmic authority
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2888-01 |
κοσμοκράτορας | kosmokratoras | N ACC M PL |
cosmic powers | cosmic dominion-holders | cosmic powers | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2888-01 |
Ephesians 6:12 | κοσμοκράτορας | kosmokratoras | N ACC M PL |
cosmic powers | cosmic dominion-holders | cosmic powers |