κτήτωρ
ktḗtōr
G2935 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An individual who possesses, acquires, or holds property, most often acquiring or possessing land, goods, or other material assets. The term emphasizes both the act of obtaining and the ongoing status of holding ownership. In some contexts, it connotes legal or recognized possession, not merely temporary holding. The primary sense is one who has property as their own, contrasted with those who merely use, rent, or manage it on behalf of others.
Semantic Range
owner, possessor, acquirer, estate holder, legal proprietor, founder (as property endower)
Root / Etymology
From the verb κτάομαι (ktaomai), meaning 'to acquire, to gain, to obtain.' The suffix -τηρ (-tōr) forms agent nouns indicating the one who performs the action. Thus, κτήτωρ literally means 'acquirer' or 'possessor.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, κτήτωρ is used for a person who has acquired or owns property, especially land or estate, often in a legally recognized capacity. The term appears in inscriptions and legal contexts in both classical and Hellenistic periods, referring to estate-holders or recognized property owners, sometimes as founders or benefactors of institutions (such as temples or civic buildings) whose endowments they established. In the Septuagint and New Testament, its use is rare, but when found, it consistently refers to someone recognized as the owner or lawful possessor, not merely as an occupier or steward. English translations frequently render it as 'owner' or 'possessor,' but may not fully convey the nuance of one who has actively acquired or established possession, as opposed to merely inheriting or managing on behalf of others. The term differs from οἰκονόμος (steward, manager), which refers to administrative roles over property that may not be held in personal ownership. The usage in Koine reflects continuity with earlier Greek but takes on technical meanings in legal and social documents, emphasizing recognized ownership.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κτάομαι; an owner:--possessor.
Root Family
κτ- (ktḗtōr) — to acquire, to possess, to gain property
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2935-01 |
κτήτορες | ktetores | N NOM M PL |
owners | property owners | property owners | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2935-01 |
Acts 4:34 | κτήτορες | ktetores | N NOM M PL |
owners | property owners | property owners |