βασιλεύς
basileús
G935 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
chief ruler; one who exercises authority over a territory, people, or domain, typically as a monarch or sovereign. In various contexts, can specify the official leader of a city-state, a hereditary monarch, or other supreme ruler. By extension, sometimes used for key figures or powers (human or supernatural) holding ultimate authority in a given sphere.
Semantic Range
king, monarch, ruler, sovereign, tribal chieftain, local leader; metaphorically, a person or force with supreme authority
Root / Etymology
Most likely from the root βασιλ- with uncertain early Indo-European connections. The traditional association with βάσις ('foundation, base') is not supported by linguistic evidence; etymology uncertain. Cognates are attested in Mycenaean Greek as qa-si-re-u (Linear B: 𐀞𐀭𐀩𐀄), referring to a local chieftain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, βασιλεύς originally denoted a tribal or local chieftain (cf. Mycenaean 'qa-si-re-u'), then the word came to mean 'king' in the Homeric sense—a leader or ruler of a community or territory, often hereditary. By the Hellenistic period, the term referred both to local rulers and to monarchs of larger states (e.g., the Hellenistic dynasties). In the Septuagint, βασιλεύς is the standard rendering of Hebrew מֶלֶךְ (melek), designating the monarchs of Israel and neighboring peoples. In the New Testament, βασιλεύς is used for rulers such as Herod, Gentile kings, and also metaphorically (e.g., 'king' in parables, or as a title for God or the Messiah). Standard English translations usually render βασιλεύς as 'king,' but in the Greco-Roman and Second Temple contexts, this includes a wider variety of political and social leadership than modern Western monarchical concepts, which may be more strictly hereditary or centralized. Usage may also include non-royal, local rulers or even deities, depending on context. Not to be confused with related terms such as ἄρχων ('ruler, magistrate') or τύραννος ('autocrat, tyrant'), which specify different forms of governance or authority.
Translation Consistency
Basileús most commonly denotes a monarch or sovereign; the natural, idiomatic English word 'king' fits the typical usage across contexts (hereditary ruler, national sovereign, or chief) and will render naturally in singular and plural forms (king/kings). It is more natural than the more formal 'sovereign' and more specific than 'ruler,' matching majority usage and readability.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from βάσις (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively):--king.
Root Family
βασιλεύς (basileus) — to rule, to be sovereign, to exercise authority
Word Forms
8 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G935-07 |
Βασιλεὺς | basileus | N NOM M SG |
King | sovereign ruler | king | 48 |
G935-03 |
βασιλεῖς | basileis | N ACC M PL |
kings | rulers | kings | 16 |
G935-01 |
βασιλέα | basilea | N ACC M SG |
king | sovereign ruler | king | 15 |
G935-04 |
βασιλέων | basileon | N GEN M PL |
kings | of kings | of kings | 11 |
G935-05 |
βασιλέως | basileos | N GEN M SG |
king | of a sovereign | king | 9 |
G935-06 |
Βασιλεῦ | basileu | N VOC M SG |
King | O king | O king | 9 |
G935-02 |
βασιλεῖ | basilei | N DAT M SG |
king | to a sovereign | to a king | 6 |
G935-08 |
βασιλεῦσιν | basileusin | N DAT M PL |
kings | to sovereign rulers | kings | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
115 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G935-01 |
Matthew 1:6 | βασιλέα | basilea | N ACC M SG |
king | sovereign ruler | king |
G935-05 |
Matthew 2:1 | βασιλέως | basileos | N GEN M SG |
king | of a sovereign | king |
G935-07 |
Matthew 2:2 | Βασιλεὺς | basileus | N NOM M SG |
King | sovereign ruler | king |
G935-07 |
Matthew 2:3 | βασιλεὺς | basileus | N NOM M SG |
king | sovereign ruler | king |
G935-05 |
Matthew 2:9 | βασιλέως | basileos | N GEN M SG |
king's | of a sovereign | king |
G935-05 |
Matthew 5:35 | Βασιλέως | basileos | N GEN M SG |
King | of a sovereign | king |
G935-03 |
Matthew 10:18 | βασιλεῖς | basileis | N ACC M PL |
kings | rulers | kings |
G935-04 |
Matthew 11:8 | βασιλέων | basileon | N GEN M PL |
kings | of kings | of kings |
G935-07 |
Matthew 14:9 | βασιλεὺς | basileus | N NOM M SG |
king | sovereign ruler | king |
G935-03 |
Matthew 17:25 | βασιλεῖς | basileis | N NOM M PL |
kings | rulers | kings |