Greek · G746, G1849 · unreviewed

ἀρχαί καὶ ἐξουσίαι

Beginning · authority

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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

ἀρχή G746 beginning
Pronunciation archḗ
Beginning as origin or first cause; also means rule/authority when referring to cosmic powers or earthly governance.
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ἐξουσία G1849 authority
Pronunciation exousía
Liberty or power to act; authority as rightful power, especially judicial and governmental authority
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What does ἀρχαί καὶ ἐξουσίαι (archai kai exousiai) mean in the Bible?

ἀρχή · ἐξουσία is a Greek word meaning "rulers and authorities".

Full entry for ἀρχαί καὶ ἐξουσίαι (G746, G1849) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

rulers and authorities
Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Singular · Feminine Matt 24:8 · Mark 1:1 · Mark 13:8 · Col 1:18 · Rev 3:14 · Rev 21:6 · Rev 22:13
Nominative · Plural · Feminine Rom 8:38 · Col 1:16
Genitive · Singular · Feminine Matt 19:4 · Matt 19:8 · Matt 24:21 · Mark 10:6 · Mark 13:19 · Luke 1:2 · John 6:64 · John 8:44 · John 15:27 · John 16:4 · Acts 26:4 · Eph 1:21 · Col 2:10 · Heb 5:12 · Heb 6:1 · 2 Pet 3:4 26×
Dative · Singular · Feminine Luke 20:20 · John 1:1 · John 1:2 · Acts 11:15 · Phil 4:15
Dative · Plural · Feminine Acts 10:11 · Acts 11:5 · Eph 3:10 · Titus 3:1
Accusative · Singular · Feminine John 2:11 · John 8:25 · 1 Cor 15:24 · Heb 2:3 · Heb 3:14 · Heb 7:3 · Jude 1:6
Accusative · Plural · Feminine Luke 12:11 · Eph 6:12 · Col 2:15 · Heb 1:10
Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

1 Corinthians 11 — Honor, Worship Order, and the Lord’s Supper Under the Lordship of Christ 1 Corinthians 9 — Rights Surrendered, the Gospel Advanced, and Discipline for the Prize Acts 26 — Paul Before Agrippa: The Risen Christ Sends Light to Jews and Gentiles Colossians 1 — The Supremacy of Christ and the Gospel of Reconciliation Colossians 2 — Fullness in Christ and Freedom from Christ-Plus Religion John 10 — The Good Shepherd, the Door, and the Son One with the Father John 15 — The True Vine, Abiding Fruitfulness, Christlike Love, and the World’s Hatred John 17 — The Son’s High Priestly Prayer: Glory, Preservation, Sanctification, Unity, Mission, and Love John 19 — The Crucified King: Behold the Man, Behold Your King, It Is Finished, and the Pierced Son Luke 10 — The Kingdom Mission Expanded, Mercy Defined, and the Better Portion Chosen Luke 20 — The Rejected Son, the Questioned Authority, and the Lord Who Silences His Opponents Luke 4 — The Spirit-Anointed Son Tested, Rejected, and Proclaiming the Kingdom Luke 5 — The Authority of Jesus to Call, Cleanse, Forgive, and Make New Luke 7 — The Compassionate Lord Who Heals, Raises, Confirms, and Forgives Luke 9 — The Christ Revealed, the Cross Announced, and the Jerusalem Road Begun Mark 1 — The Beginning of the Gospel: The Servant-King Appears with Authority Mark 11 — The King Comes to Jerusalem: Fig Tree, Temple Judgment, Faith, Forgiveness, and Authority Mark 2 — The Son of Man Has Authority: Forgiveness, Fellowship, and Lordship Mark 3 — The Servant-King Confronted: Sabbath Mercy, Demonic Accusation, and the Family of God Mark 6 — Rejected Prophet, Sending Lord, Wilderness Shepherd, and Divine Son on the Sea Matthew 10 — The Mission of the Twelve, Costly Witness, and Allegiance to Christ Matthew 19 — Marriage from Creation, Children Received, Riches Renounced, and the Reward of Following Christ Matthew 21 — The King Enters Jerusalem, Judges Fruitless Religion, and Exposes Rejected-Son Leadership Matthew 28 — The Resurrection of Jesus and the Great Commission of the Risen King Matthew 7 — Kingdom Discernment, the Narrow Way, and the Wise Builder Matthew 8 — The Authority of Jesus over Uncleanness, Sickness, Discipleship, Storms, and Demons Matthew 9 — Authority to Forgive, Mercy for Sinners, and Compassion for the Harvest Romans 13 — Submission to Governing Authorities, Love as the Fulfillment of the Law, and Life in the Light of the Coming Day

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources