βασίλειον
basíleion
G933
SILEX Entry
Definition
A royal residence, palace, or, by metonymy, the sphere or setting associated with a king's authority (the king's court or domain). The term fundamentally denotes the physical structure or complex in which a king dwells or holds court, but in context it can also refer to the administrative or social circle connected to the monarchy.
Semantic Range
royal palace, king's residence, royal court, sphere of royal authority
Root / Etymology
From the adjective βασίλειος ('royal, belonging to a king'), itself from βασιλεύς ('king'). The neuter form functions substantivally to designate something pertaining to a king or the king's domain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, βασίλειον most frequently refers to the physical palace or royal residence, distinct from κοινός οἶκος ('common house'). It can also denote a suite of buildings or the whole complex associated with royal function. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, it maintains its literal sense of palace, as seen in references to the dwellings of earthly monarchs (cf. 1 Maccabees 1:21; Matthew 11:8; Luke 7:25). Sometimes, it refers more broadly to the royal court, the assemblage of officials, or the household staff. Standard English translations ("palace", "king's court") are adequate but do not reflect the full metonymic extension of the term to the administrative and social contexts of royal life. The term is less common than βασιλεία (which refers to "kingdom" or "reign"), but both derive from the common root. In the New Testament, usage is usually literal and does not yet bear the metaphorical or heavenly associations later present in Christian literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of βασίλειος; a palace:--king's court.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.