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κριτής

kritḗs

G2923 noun

SILEX Entry

Root κρί- to judge, to decide, to distinguish

Definition

One who makes decisions, renders judgment, or acts as an arbiter in matters of law, disputes, or right and wrong. In various contexts, refers primarily to a legal authority, but can also indicate one who pronounces verdicts, resolves controversies, or governs by exercising judgment or discernment. May refer to a legal judge, an arbitrator, or at times one with broader governing or administrative authority.

Semantic Range

legal judge, arbitrator, authority who renders verdicts, governor or leader with judicial powers, one who makes decisions in disputes, referee (e.g., in contests), agent of divine justice

Root / Etymology

From the Greek verb κρίνω (krínō), meaning 'to judge, to decide, to distinguish, to question.' The suffix -τής (-tēs) indicates an agent noun, one who performs the action, thus κριτής is 'a judger, decider.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, κριτής was used for any judge or arbiter, whether in courts, athletic contests, or private disputes. In Hellenistic Greek, including the Septuagint, κριτής could designate judicial or administrative officials, or be used for the leaders called 'Judges' (שופטים, shofetim) in Israelite history. In the New Testament, κριτής often refers more narrowly to judicial authorities, either human (magistrates or governors) or, in figurative usage, to God as the ultimate judge. English translations often simply render κριτής as 'judge,' which accurately captures the legal-adjudicative sense, but can understate broader meanings such as arbitrator or decision-maker in non-judicial settings. Distinct from δικάστης, another Greek word for 'judge,' which carries more of a judicial or legal connotation in some contexts. Notably, in the context of the Septuagint and Jewish literature of the Second Temple period, the use of κριτής to translate שופט (shofet, 'judge' or leader) embeds cultural and historical resonances that differ somewhat from Greek civic or legal usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "judge" 19 occurrences

Most common and natural English equivalent across contexts (legal judge, arbitrator, referee, governor exercising judgment). 'Judge' matches the primary SILEX sense and is the overwhelmingly dominant rendering in the source occurrences, so it ensures consistent, natural wording for all forms of κριτής.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κρίνω; a judge (genitive case or specially):--judge.

Root Family

κριτής (kritēs) — judge, decide, distinguish

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2923-05 κριτὴς krites N NOM M SG judge judge judge 10
G2923-01 κριταὶ kritai N NOM M PL judges judges judges 3
G2923-04 κριτὴν kriten N ACC M SG judge a judge a judge 3
G2923-03 κριτῇ krite N DAT M SG judge to a judge to a judge 2
G2923-02 κριτὰς kritas N ACC M PL judges adjudicators judges 1

Occurrences in Scripture

19 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2923-03 Matthew 5:25 κριτῇ krite N DAT M SG judge to a judge to a judge
G2923-05 Matthew 5:25 κριτὴς krites N NOM M SG judge judge judge
G2923-01 Matthew 12:27 κριταὶ kritai N NOM M PL judges judges judges
G2923-01 Luke 11:19 κριταὶ kritai N NOM M PL judges judges judges
G2923-04 Luke 12:14 κριτὴν kriten N ACC M SG judge a judge a judge
G2923-04 Luke 12:58 κριτήν kriten N ACC M SG judge a judge a judge
G2923-05 Luke 12:58 κριτής krites N NOM M SG judge judge judge
G2923-05 Luke 18:2 κριτής krites N NOM M SG judge judge judge
G2923-05 Luke 18:6 κριτὴς krites N NOM M SG judge judge judge
G2923-05 Acts 10:42 κριτὴς krites N NOM M SG judge judge judge
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