ἀνθυπατεύω
anthypateúō
G445
SILEX Entry
Definition
To hold or exercise the office of proconsul; to serve in the capacity of a Roman provincial governor appointed by the senate, especially with authority over a senatorial province. In broader usage, to perform the functions, carry out the official duties, or wield the administrative power of a proconsul (ἀνθύπατος).
Semantic Range
to hold the office of proconsul, to perform the duties of a proconsul, to govern a Roman senatorial province as proconsul
Root / Etymology
From ἀνθύπατος (anthýpatos, 'proconsul'), itself from ἀντί (instead of, in place of) + ὕπατος (consul), literally 'in place of a consul'. ἀνθυπατεύω is a denominative verb formed by adding the verbal ending -εύω to the noun ἀνθύπατος.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Koine and late Greek (including New Testament and contemporary inscriptions), ἀνθυπατεύω is used to designate the act or period of exercising the duties of a Roman proconsul. The proconsul was the highest official in a Roman senatorial province, wielding both civil and military authority. The verb is rare and typically occurs in bureaucratic, historical, or documentary contexts. In Acts 18:12, for example, the term appears in the context of Gallio's proconsulship of Achaia. There is no equivalent term in classical Greek prior to the establishment of Roman provinces; its usage arises alongside the administrative structures of the Roman Empire. English translations such as "be (the) deputy" or "be proconsul" capture the administrative role, but do not always convey the specificity of the term's Roman context. In the Greco-Roman world, ἀνθύπατος was a specific legal and political title, distinct from other administrative roles such as ἡγεμών (hegemon, 'governor'). The verb does not occur outside documents or narratives referring to Roman provincial administration, and does not carry metaphorical or figurative meanings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀνθύπατος; to act as proconsul:--be the deputy.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.