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ἀρχισυνάγωγος

archisynágōgos

G752 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ἀρχ-, συναγ- to lead, to assemble, to rule, to be first

Definition

Principal leader or head of a synagogue; an official who presides over, administers, and represents the assembly and its activities. The term typically indicates the primary authority figure responsible for order, management, discipline, and the conduct of gatherings within a local synagogue. By extension, it may refer to one among several such leaders sharing collective responsibility.

Semantic Range

leader of a synagogue, principal official of a synagogue, administrator of Jewish assembly, president or chief overseer of synagogue activities, presiding official

Root / Etymology

From ἀρχή (beginning, first, authority) and συναγωγή (assembly, gathering), literally meaning 'leader of the assembly.' Morphologically, a compound noun with prefix ἀρχι- (chief, principal) + συνάγωγος (gathering together, or one who gathers). The term is attested in Hellenistic Jewish and wider Greco-Roman sources.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the context of Hellenistic and Roman-period Judean and diaspora communities, ἀρχισυνάγωγος designates the leading officer(s) of a synagogue. This leadership could be vested in one individual, but plural forms also appear, indicating collective or shared leadership roles (e.g., Luke 8:41, Acts 13:15). The title does not necessarily denote a religious officiant (such as a priest), but rather one responsible for administration, oversight, and order during assemblies, including the selection of readers and speakers and matters of discipline or benevolence. Inscriptions from Egypt, Asia Minor, and Greece attest the wider civic and social standing of such individuals. The Greek ‘synagogue’ is a participatory assembly, and so the ἀρχισυνάγωγος could oversee both religious and community business. Modern translations as 'ruler of the synagogue' or 'chief official' generally reflect the function but may obscure nuances of authority and communal responsibility in different historical contexts. In later rabbinic and Christian traditions, the role shifts or is absorbed under other titles (e.g., presbyter, minister, rabbi), but in the first-century context the ἀρχισυνάγωγος functions as principal administrator and representative.

Translation Consistency

primary "leader" 4 occurrences

The term refers to the principal official or head of a synagogue. 'Leader' is natural, broad enough to cover chief/overseer/administrator senses, and fits typical English usage for someone who presides over and manages an assembly.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"synagogue chief" (4x) "rulers of the synagogue" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀρχή and συναγωγή; director of the synagogue services:--(chief) ruler of the synagogue.

Root Family

ἀρχισυνάγωγος (archisynagōgos) — to lead, to assemble, to rule, to be first

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G752-05 ἀρχισυναγώγου archisunagogou N GEN M SG ruler of the synagogue of the synagogue chief synagogue chief 3
G752-03 ἀρχισυναγώγων archisunagogon N GEN M PL rulers of the synagogue of the chief synagogue leaders chief synagogue leader 2
G752-04 ἀρχισυνάγωγος archisunagogos N NOM M SG ruler of the synagogue chief assembly leader chief assembly leader 2
G752-01 ἀρχισυναγώγῳ archisunagogo N DAT M SG ruler of the synagogue to the synagogue chief synagogue chief 1
G752-02 ἀρχισυνάγωγοι archisunagogoi N NOM M PL rulers of the synagogue chief synagogue leaders rulers of the synagogue 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G752-03 Mark 5:22 ἀρχισυναγώγων archisunagogon N GEN M PL rulers of the synagogue of the chief synagogue leaders of the chief synagogue leaders
G752-05 Mark 5:35 ἀρχισυναγώγου archisunagogou N GEN M SG synagogue ruler's of the synagogue chief synagogue chief
G752-01 Mark 5:36 ἀρχισυναγώγῳ archisunagogo N DAT M SG ruler of the synagogue to the synagogue chief synagogue chief
G752-05 Mark 5:38 ἀρχισυναγώγου archisunagogou N GEN M SG ruler of the synagogue of the synagogue chief synagogue chief
G752-05 Luke 8:49 ἀρχισυναγώγου archisunagogou N GEN M SG synagogue leader's of the synagogue chief synagogue chief
G752-04 Luke 13:14 ἀρχισυνάγωγος archisunagogos N NOM M SG ruler of the synagogue chief assembly leader chief assembly leader
G752-02 Acts 13:15 ἀρχισυνάγωγοι archisunagogoi N NOM M PL rulers of the synagogue chief synagogue leaders rulers of the synagogue
G752-04 Acts 18:8 ἀρχισυνάγωγος archisunagogos N NOM M SG synagogue leader chief assembly leader chief assembly leader
G752-03 Acts 18:17 ἀρχισυνάγωγον archisunagogon N ACC M SG synagogue leader of the chief synagogue leaders chief synagogue leader
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