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Πιλᾶτος

Pilâtos

G4091 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A proper noun referring to Pontius Pilate, a Roman official who served as prefect (governor) of the province of Judea under the Roman Empire (ca. AD 26–36). The term is used solely as a personal name, designating this individual in the New Testament and related literature. The name itself does not carry an intrinsic semantic value beyond its function as a personal identifier, though it likely connotes Roman administrative authority within the texts where it appears.

Semantic Range

Pontius Pilate, Roman prefect; proper name referring to the Roman governor of Judea

Root / Etymology

From Latin Pilatus, probable formation from pila ('javelin, spear') or pileus ('felt cap'), but precise etymology uncertain. Likely denotes a Roman cognomen rather than a descriptive term; directly borrowed into Greek as Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos).

Historical & Contextual Notes

Πιλᾶτος occurs exclusively as a proper name, referring to the Roman prefect best known for presiding over the trial of Jesus during the prefecture of Judea. In the New Testament (e.g., Gospels, Acts), he appears as a Roman authority figure. In contemporary historical sources (e.g., Josephus, Philo, Tacitus), Pilate is portrayed as a Roman administrator of Judea during a period of political tension. The name Πιλᾶτος is a transliteration of the Latin Pilatus and does not convey descriptive meaning in Greek. English translations utilize the name 'Pilate', which reflects the Latin origin; the meaning suggested by older sources ('firm', 'close-pressed') is ultimately speculative and does not affect the usage in biblical texts. No significant difference in use between New Testament, Septuagint (where not present), or contemporary Koine Greek sources as it is strictly a personal designation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman:--Pilate.

Root Family

Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos) — personal name, Pontius Pilate, Roman prefect of Judea

Root Πιλᾶτ- personal name, Pontius Pilate

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4091-03 Πειλᾶτος peilatos N NOM M SG Pilate Pontius Pilate Pilatos 39
G4091-02 Πειλᾶτον peilaton N ACC M SG Pilate Pontius Pilate Pilatos 7
G4091-01 Πειλάτῳ peilato N DAT M SG Pilate to Pilate Pilatos 6
G4091-04 Πειλάτου peilatou N GEN M SG Pilate of Pontius Pilate Pilatos 3

Occurrences in Scripture

55 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4091-01 Matthew 27:2 Πειλάτῳ peilato N DAT M SG Pilate to Pilate Pilatos
G4091-03 Matthew 27:13 Πειλᾶτος peilatos N NOM M SG Pilate Pontius Pilate Pilatos
G4091-03 Matthew 27:17 Πειλᾶτος peilatos N NOM M SG Pilate Pontius Pilate Pilatos
G4091-03 Matthew 27:22 Πειλᾶτος peilatos N NOM M SG Pilate Pontius Pilate Pilatos
G4091-03 Matthew 27:24 Πειλᾶτος peilatos N NOM M SG Pilate Pontius Pilate Pilatos
G4091-01 Matthew 27:58 Πειλάτῳ peilato N DAT M SG Pilate to Pilate Pilatos
G4091-03 Matthew 27:58 Πειλᾶτος peilatos N NOM M SG Pilate Pontius Pilate Pilatos
G4091-02 Matthew 27:62 Πειλᾶτον peilaton N ACC M SG Pilate Pontius Pilate Pilatos
G4091-03 Matthew 27:65 Πειλᾶτος peilatos N NOM M SG Pilate Pontius Pilate Pilatos
G4091-01 Mark 15:1 Πειλάτῳ peilato N DAT M SG to Pilate to Pilate Pilatos
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