Greek · G936 · unreviewed

βασιλεύω

To rule (literally or figuratively)

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

βασιλεύω G936

Pronunciation basileúō

What does βασιλεύω (basileúō) mean in the Bible?

βασιλεύω (basileúō) is a Greek word meaning "to rule (literally or figuratively)". βασιλεύω, (βασιλεύς), [in LXX for מלךְ, its parts and derivatives, exc.

Full entry for βασιλεύω (G936) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to rule (literally or figuratively)

Extended definition

To reign or rule with authority; applied to God, Christ, sin, death, and Christians in eschatological contexts.

to be king, to reign, rule: 1Ti.6:15; with genitive (cl.), Mat.2:22; before ἐπί, with accusative (= Heb. מלךְ על; Bl., §36, 8), Luk.1:33 19:14, 27 Rom.5:14; ἐπὶ τ. γῆς, on earth, Rev.5:10; of God, Rev.11:15, 17 19:6; of Christ, Luk.1:33, 1Co.15:25, Rev.11:15; of Christians, Rev.5:10 20:4 (constative aor., M, Pr., 130), ib. 6 22:5. Metaphorical, Christians, Rom.5:17, 1Co.4:8; θάνατος, Rom.5:14, 17; ἁμαρτία, Rom.5:21 6:12. Ingressive aor. (M, Pr., 109), to begin to reign: 1Co.4:8, Rev.11:17 19:6 (Cremer, 137).

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Grammatical Forms

How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.

Tenses

Aorist Future Present

Voices

Active

Indicative states a fact or reality 15×

Aorist Active Rom 5:14 · Rom 5:17 · Rom 5:21 · Rev 19:6 · 1 Cor 4:8 · Rev 11:17 · Rev 20:4 8×

Future Active Rom 5:17 · Rev 5:10 · Rev 20:6 · Rev 22:5 · Luke 1:33 · Rev 11:15 6×

Present Active Matt 2:22 1×

Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 3×

Aorist Active Luke 19:14 · Luke 19:27 2×

Present Active 1 Cor 15:25 1×

Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 1×

Aorist Active Rom 5:21 1×

Imperative command or strong request 1×

Present Active Rom 6:12 1×

Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 1×

Present Active 1 Tim 6:15 1×

Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 21 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect

completed 8 ongoing 2 prospective 5 imperative 1 subjunctive 1 infinitive 3 participle 1

Tense

aorist 11 present 5 future 5

Voice

active 21

Mood

indicative 15 infinitive 3 participle 1 subjunctive 1 imperative 1

NT Occurrences

Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.

Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

Biblical Witnesses

1 Corinthians 15:24-28 reigns basileúō Infinitive · Present Active

Christ's literal reign over all things until subjection of enemies

1 Corinthians 4:8-13 reigned basileúō Indicative · Aorist Active

Metaphorical ingressive sense, Christians beginning to reign or act as kings

Isaiah 52:7-10 reigns basileúō

God's sovereign rule and dominion proclaimed over all the earth

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 4 — Stewards of Christ, Fools for Christ, and a Father’s Admonition Romans 5 — Peace with God, Rejoicing in Grace, and Life Through the One Man Jesus Christ Romans 6 — Dead to Sin and Alive to God in Christ Jesus

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

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details