← G3616 G3618 →

οἰκοδεσπότης

oikodespótēs

G3617 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Master or authority figure of a household; specifically, the person who holds ultimate responsibility for managing a home and its affairs. In extended usage, refers to one who owns or governs a property or estate, and who exercises authority over those within it—including family members, servants, or dependents. Contextually, in parabolic literature, often indicates the principal figure overseeing resources, decisions, and well-being of a house.

Semantic Range

master of the household, head of the house, one who exercises authority or stewardship over a household, owner or governor of property, householder, primary decision-maker within the home

Root / Etymology

Compound of οἶκος (house, household) and δεσπότης (master, lord); literally, 'master of the house.' The formation emphasizes both authority and stewardship within the domestic sphere.

Historical & Contextual Notes

οἰκοδεσπότης appears in Koine and later Greek to denote the individual who possesses both legal and practical authority in a household or estate. In the New Testament, commonly refers to the head of a domestic unit, especially in parables (e.g., Matthew 13:27; Luke 13:25), reflecting Hellenistic and Roman social structures where the oikodespótēs was responsible for finances, order, hospitality, and discipline. In earlier Greek, household authority terms vary (e.g., κύριος for master, δεσπότης for owner/master). οἰκοδεσπότης specifically connotes governance within the 'house,' distinguishing it from broader or more martial authority. English renderings such as 'master of the house' or 'householder' can obscure the nuances of status, responsibility, and domestic authority embedded in the term. In contrast, the female form, οἰκοδεσπότις, is rare, indicating gendered expectations of household leadership. The term does not necessarily denote noble status, but rather focuses on the function of household management and authority regardless of class.

Translation Consistency

primary "master" 6 occurrences

οἰκοδεσπότης most commonly denotes the person who has authority, ownership, or stewardship of a household. "Master" is the natural, concise English equivalent that captures both authority and ownership, is widely used in traditional and modern translations (especially in parables and household contexts), and will provide consistent, easily understood renderings across all occurrences.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"house-master" (6x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from οἶκος and δεσπότης; the head of a family:--goodman (of the house), householder, master of the house.

Root Family

οἰκοδεσπότης (oikodespotēs) — house, authority, mastership

Root οἰκο-, δεσποτ- house, authority, mastership

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3617-03 οἰκοδεσπότης oikodespotes N NOM M SG master of the house household master household master 5
G3617-01 οἰκοδεσπότῃ oikodespote N DAT M SG owner of the house to the house-master to the house-master 4
G3617-04 οἰκοδεσπότου oikodespotou N GEN M SG householder of the house-master house-master 2
G3617-02 οἰκοδεσπότην oikodespoten N ACC M SG master of the house household master household master 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3617-02 Matthew 10:25 οἰκοδεσπότην oikodespoten N ACC M SG master of the house household master household master
G3617-04 Matthew 13:27 οἰκοδεσπότου oikodespotou N GEN M SG householder of the house-master house-master
G3617-01 Matthew 13:52 οἰκοδεσπότῃ oikodespote N DAT M SG householder to the house-master to the house-master
G3617-01 Matthew 20:1 οἰκοδεσπότῃ oikodespote N DAT M SG householder to the house-master to the house-master
G3617-04 Matthew 20:11 οἰκοδεσπότου oikodespotou N GEN M SG landowner of the house-master house-master
G3617-03 Matthew 21:33 οἰκοδεσπότης oikodespotes N NOM M SG landowner household master household master
G3617-03 Matthew 24:43 οἰκοδεσπότης oikodespotes N NOM M SG master-of-the-house household master household master
G3617-01 Mark 14:14 οἰκοδεσπότῃ oikodespote N DAT M SG owner of the house to the house-master to the house-master
G3617-03 Luke 12:39 οἰκοδεσπότης oikodespotes N NOM M SG master of the house household master household master
G3617-03 Luke 13:25 οἰκοδεσπότης oikodespotes N NOM M SG master of the house household master household master
← G3616 Greek Lexicon G3618 →