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οἰκοδεσποτέω

oikodespotéō

G3616 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To manage or oversee a household; to exercise authority or responsibility as the leader or administrator of a household. In broader contexts, to fulfill the role of supervising domestic affairs, especially concerning provision, order, and discipline within the home. This verb focuses on the active function of household oversight rather than simple occupation or residence.

Semantic Range

to manage a household, to govern domestic affairs, to supervise home life, to exercise authority over a home, to fulfill the responsibilities of a head of household

Root / Etymology

From οἰκοδεσπότης (master of a household, head of a household), itself a compound of οἶκος (house) and δεσπότης (master, lord). Thus, οἰκοδεσποτέω is a denominative verb meaning 'to act as a master of the house.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb οἰκοδεσποτέω occurs rarely in surviving Greek literature and only once in the New Testament (1 Timothy 5:14). In this context, it is used in the sense of 'managing the household,' reflecting the ancient expectation that certain women (often wives or widows) would maintain order, discipline, and provision in the home. This aligns with broader Greco-Roman ideals where effective household management (οἰκονομία, οἰκονομέω) was considered a virtue. The term is stronger than simply 'keeping house', and includes the concept of governance and responsibility. Unlike οἰκονομέω, which emphasizes stewardship or administration (sometimes in contexts beyond the household), οἰκοδεσποτέω particularly emphasizes authority and supervision as 'mistress/master of the house.' Later English translations sometimes render the term as 'guide the house' or 'rule the household,' but these do not always capture the gendered expectations or scope of control implied in the original context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from οἰκοδεσπότης; to be the head of (i.e. rule) a family:--guide the house.

Root Family

οἰκοδεσποτέω (oikodespoteō) — to manage, to supervise, to act as master of a household

Root οἰκοδεσποτ- to manage, to supervise, to act as master/mistress

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3616-01 οἰκοδεσποτεῖν oikodespotein V PRS ACT INF to manage the house to manage a household to manage a household 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3616-01 1 Timothy 5:14 οἰκοδεσποτεῖν oikodespotein V PRS ACT INF to manage the house to manage a household to manage a household
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