κυριακός

kyriakós

G2960 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Belonging to or pertaining to the lord/master; primarily, 'pertaining to a lord (κύριος)', especially 'pertaining to the (Christian) Lord' in contexts where the referent is specified. In early Christian usage, designates something associated with or dedicated to the Lord (especially Jesus). In the New Testament, refers specifically to things associated with the Lord Jesus, such as κυριακὴ ἡμέρα ('the Lord's day') or κυριακὸν δεῖπνον ('the Lord's supper').

Semantic Range

belonging to a lord, pertaining to a lord/master, pertaining to 'the Lord' (Jesus) in Christian contexts, associated with the Lord's possessions or acts

Root / Etymology

Adjectival form derived from κύριος ('lord, master'). The suffix -ικός indicates 'pertaining to' or 'belonging to'. Hence, κυριακός means 'of the lord/master'. The formation is typical of Greek adjectival derivation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

κυριακός is a rare adjective in classical and Hellenistic Greek, where κύριος was widely used as a noun ('lord, master') and its possessive genitive. The term acquires specific significance in early Christian literature, particularly in reference to practices and observances associated with Jesus, such as 'the Lord's Supper' (τὸ κυριακὸν δεῖπνον, 1 Cor 11:20) and 'the Lord's day' (κυριακὴ ἡμέρα, Rev 1:10). The use of κυριακός to refer to Christian worship spaces ('church') develops much later (post-New Testament), as in modern Greek, κυριακό (kiriakó), but this sense is not attested in New Testament usage. English translation as 'Lord's' in the phrase 'the Lord's Supper' or 'the Lord's day' reflects the early Christian interpretation. The term marks religious significance by ascribing special ownership or association with 'the Lord,' but without reference to the English theological term 'church' itself. The base sense is not limited to a religious figure; in other contexts, it could in theory refer to anything pertaining to a master or lord, though New Testament usage specifies the referent as Jesus.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κύριος; belonging to the Lord (Jehovah or Jesus):--Lord's.

Root Family

κυριακός (kyriakos) — belonging to a lord, pertaining to a master, associated with the Lord

Root κυρ- to have authority, to be lord, to possess

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2960-02 Κυριακὸν kuriakon ADJ.A ACC N SG Lord's belonging to the Lord belonging to the Lord 1
G2960-01 Κυριακῇ kuriake ADJ.A DAT F SG Lord's to the Lord’s Lord’s 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2960-02 1 Corinthians 11:20 Κυριακὸν kuriakon ADJ.A ACC N SG Lord's belonging to the Lord belonging to the Lord
G2960-01 Revelation 1:10 Κυριακῇ kuriake ADJ.A DAT F SG Lord's to the Lord’s Lord’s