Αὐγοῦστος
Augoûstos
G828 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun. The imperial title 'Augustus' granted to the first Roman emperor, signifying 'the revered one' or 'majestic.' In the New Testament, refers specifically to Gaius Octavius (also known as Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus), the reigning Roman emperor at the time of Jesus' birth. The term functions exclusively as an honorific title, not as a personal name.
Semantic Range
imperial title designating the Roman emperor Augustus, the venerated one, reverential honorific for the Roman ruler
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Latin adjective 'augustus' (meaning 'majestic,' 'venerable,' or 'revered'), which is itself related to the Latin verb 'augere' ('to increase' or 'to exalt'), suggesting someone 'exalted' or 'honored.' The Greek form Αὐγοῦστος is a direct transliteration of the Latin imperial title, not a native Greek word. Root ultimately distinct from native Greek elements.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Αὐγοῦστος does not have pre-imperial Greek usage; it enters Greek as a loanword concurrent with Augustus' accession in 27 BCE, when the Senate of Rome formally granted Octavian the title 'Augustus.' In Greek sources, Αὐγοῦστος is always an imperial title, never simply a name, and denotes the unique status of the emperor as venerated head of state and 'first among citizens.' In the New Testament and contemporaneous Jewish and Hellenistic texts (e.g., Philo, Josephus), the title retains strong associations with imperial authority and propaganda, marking the emperor as more than just a ruler, but as a quasi-divine figure. English translation as 'Augustus' preserves the form of the Latin name but can obscure the full honorific sense. The Greek usage is distinct from later English conventions, where 'Augustus' may be simply a name. In all biblical and early Jewish/Christian Greek writings, it marks the singular Roman emperor, never a common title or name.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Latin ("august"); Augustus, a title of the Roman emperor:--Augustus.
Root Family
Αὐγοῦστος (Augoustos) — revered, majestic, exalted (imperial title)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G828-01 |
Αὐγούστου | augoustou | N GEN M SG |
Augustus | of the Revered Emperor | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G828-01 |
Luke 2:1 | Αὐγούστου | augoustou | N GEN M SG |
Augustus | of the Revered Emperor |