κυριεύω
kyrieúō
G2961 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be lord, to exercise authority, or to have dominion; in essence, to act as κυριος (lord, master), wielding rule or command over persons or things. The sense can range from formal or legal authority, such as sovereignty or mastership, to the exercise of control, dominance, or supremacy in social, political, or personal spheres.
Semantic Range
to be lord/master, to rule over, to have dominion/control, to exercise authority, to act as sovereign, to hold mastery
Root / Etymology
From the noun κύριος (kyrios, 'lord, master'), with the denominative verb-forming suffix -εύω, indicating the exercise or function of being or acting as a 'kyrios'. Thus, κυριεύω means 'to act as lord/master' or 'to behave as a master'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, κυριεύω denotes the possession and exercise of rule or mastery, whether over people, land, material goods, or abstract domains (such as laws or desires). In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, and in the Septuagint, κυριεύω frequently translates Hebrew מָשַׁל (mashal) or רָדָה (radah), usually describing power, sovereignty, or dominion—by kings, by God, or metaphorically (e.g., sin dominating someone). In the New Testament, the verb retains the basic meaning of 'to rule over' but often implies moral, spiritual, or social authority (e.g., sin not 'reigning' over believers, Rom 6:14; or lording it over others, Lk 22:25). The term is distinct from other Greek verbs for rule, such as βασιλεύω (to be king) and ἄρχω (to lead, govern), with κυριεύω more strongly emphasizing the status and prerogative of being a lord/master than the simple function of ruling. English translations like 'have dominion over' or 'lord over' can capture elements of the sense, but may understate the root idea of acting 'as lord.'
Translation Consistency
“Rule” naturally and broadly covers the semantic range of κυριεύω — to act as lord/master, exercise authority, have dominion or control. It is the most natural, commonly used English term for both formal sovereign authority and everyday mastery/control, and therefore best supports consistent rendering across all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κύριος; to rule:--have dominion over, lord, be lord of, exercise lordship over.
Root Family
κυρι- (Kyría) — authority, lordship, mastership, respect
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2961-01 |
κυριεύει | kurieuei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
is master | he/she/it exercises lordship | he/she/it rules | 2 |
G2961-02 |
κυριεύομεν | kurieuomen | V PRS ACT IND 1P PL |
we lord it over | we exercise lordship | we exercise lordship | 1 |
G2961-03 |
κυριευόντων | kurieuonton | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL |
lords | of those exercising lordship | exercising lordship | 1 |
G2961-04 |
κυριεύουσιν | kurieuousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
lord it over | They act as lords | they act as lords | 1 |
G2961-05 |
κυριεύσῃ | kurieuse | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
He might be Lord | might exercise lordship | might exercise lordship | 1 |
G2961-06 |
κυριεύσει | kurieusei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
shall be master | will exercise lordship | will exercise lordship | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2961-04 |
Luke 22:25 | κυριεύουσιν | kurieuousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
lord it over | They act as lords | they act as lords |
G2961-01 |
Romans 6:9 | κυριεύει | kurieuei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
is master | he/she/it exercises lordship | he/she/it rules |
G2961-06 |
Romans 6:14 | κυριεύσει | kurieusei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
shall be master | will exercise lordship | will exercise lordship |
G2961-01 |
Romans 7:1 | κυριεύει | kurieuei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
rules | he/she/it exercises lordship | he/she/it rules |
G2961-05 |
Romans 14:9 | κυριεύσῃ | kurieuse | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
He might be Lord | might exercise lordship | might exercise lordship |
G2961-02 |
2 Corinthians 1:24 | κυριεύομεν | kurieuomen | V PRS ACT IND 1P PL |
we lord it over | we exercise lordship | we exercise lordship |
G2961-03 |
1 Timothy 6:15 | κυριευόντων | kurieuonton | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL |
lords | of those exercising lordship | exercising lordship |