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ἀρχιτρίκλινος

architríklinos

G755 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Principal person responsible for overseeing a banquet or symposium, specifically the one who managed arrangements, food, and seating (i.e., chief steward, head of banquet). In Greco-Roman banquet settings, the ἀρχιτρίκλινος was entrusted with organizational oversight rather than with service or hosting. The term's usage focuses on the functional role in managing the triclinium (banquet hall), especially at formal meals.

Semantic Range

chief steward of a banquet, head of a dining room, director of a formal meal, principal manager of banquet arrangements

Root / Etymology

From ἀρχή (chief, principal) and τρίκλινον (triclinium, a dining room with three couches; τρεῖς 'three' + κλίνη 'couch, bed'). The formation denotes 'chief of the triclinium' or 'chief banqueting room attendant'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The word ἀρχιτρίκλινος is attested in Koine Greek, notably in the Gospel of John (2:8–9), but is rare or absent in earlier Greek literature. In the Roman world, the triclinium denoted a formal dining layout with three couches. The ἀρχιτρίκλινος was not necessarily a head waiter (cf. διακονός), nor a host (δεσπότης or οἰκοδεσπότης), but a steward responsible for organizing gatherings, comparable in function to a modern head steward or banquet manager. Standard translations such as 'governor of the feast' or 'master of the banquet' often mask the sociocultural nuances of the term, which presumes familiarity with Greco-Roman dining customs. The word does not occur in the Septuagint or non-biblical Koine sources except for a few later references in papyri, typically reflecting similar social function. The usage in John 2 aligns with Hellenistic and Roman banquet practice, where organization could be a role held by a trusted servant, freedman, or, less commonly, an honored guest. This term is specific to Greco-Roman banquet culture and should not be confused with titles in Israelite or Judean settings.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀρχή and a compound of τρεῖς and κλίνω (a dinner-bed, because composed of three couches); director of the entertainment:--governor (ruler) of the feast.

Root Family

ἀρχιτρίκλινος (architriklinos) — chief, dining couch, banquet hall oversight

Root ἀρχι-, τρικλιν- to be chief (lead), couch, dining room

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G755-02 ἀρχιτρίκλινος architriklinos N NOM M SG headwaiter chief banquet steward chief banquet steward 2
G755-01 ἀρχιτρικλίνῳ architriklino N DAT M SG governor of the feast to the chief banquet steward chief banquet steward 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G755-01 John 2:8 ἀρχιτρικλίνῳ architriklino N DAT M SG governor of the feast to the chief banquet steward chief banquet steward
G755-02 John 2:9 ἀρχιτρίκλινος architriklinos N NOM M SG headwaiter chief banquet steward chief banquet steward
G755-02 John 2:9 ἀρχιτρίκλινος architriklinos-2 N NOM M SG headwaiter chief banquet steward chief banquet steward
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