ἀρχιτέκτων (G753) — Greek Lexicon

ἀρχιτέκτων

architéktōn

G753 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ἀρχι-τέκτων to be chief, to build, to plan

Definition

Chief constructor, designer, or planner of a building or structure; in extended contexts, one who has primary responsibility for planning and overseeing the construction of something, often with a sense of both intellectual and technical skill. In some contexts, refers more broadly to the initiator or originator of a project or scheme.

Semantic Range

chief builder, master builder, designer, chief planner or constructor, originator of a project, skilled artisan with oversight authority

Root / Etymology

From ἀρχή (beginning, authority, chief) and τέκτων (builder, worker in wood or craftsman). Composed as a compound indicating one who is both leader (chief) and worker (builder). No evidence for direct borrowing from other languages; formation is native Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term ἀρχιτέκτων appears in classical Greek literature as early as the 5th century BCE, typically denoting the chief builder or head craftsman responsible for the design and construction of public works such as temples, theaters, and fortifications. In these contexts, the ἀρχιτέκτων functions as both a designer (today's 'architect') and a supervisor ('foreman' or 'master builder'), combining artistic vision with practical expertise. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the word retains this dual connotation, rarely being limited to purely intellectual design or merely manual labor. In the New Testament (notably in 1 Corinthians 3:10), ἀρχιτέκτων is used metaphorically for one who lays the foundation of a spiritual community, indicating a person with both strategic initiative and oversight. The English 'architect' comes directly from this Greek term but has evolved to refer mainly to designers; the ancient sense also includes construction supervision and practical expertise. The word appears infrequently in the Septuagint, usually for positions of major responsibility in temple or tabernacle building. The traditional translation 'masterbuilder' captures the word's range better than the modern, limited sense of 'architect.' Distinct from τέκτων, which generally refers to a craftsman, artisan, or builder without the implication of chief authority or responsibility.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀρχή and τέκτων; a chief constructor, i.e. "architect":--masterbuilder.

Root Family

ἀρχιτέκτων (architekton) — chief, builder, planner, constructor

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G753-01`	ἀρχιτέκτων	architekton	`N NOM M SG`	master builder	chief builder	chief builder	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G753-01`	1 Corinthians 3:10	ἀρχιτέκτων	architekton	`N NOM M SG`	master builder	chief builder	chief builder

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