βασιλικός
basilikós
G937 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primarily, pertaining to a king or sovereign; characteristic of, belonging to, or associated with a king or royalty in various contexts. May be used as an adjective describing things 'of the king', such as property, decrees, attire, or status, and as a substantive for one holding an official position at court (e.g., a royal official or courtier). Sometimes denotes nobility or prominence by association with royal status.
Semantic Range
royal, belonging to the king, relating to a king or kingly authority, characteristic of royalty, befitting a king, king's official, royal courtier, nobleman (in the sense of royal attendant or officer)
Root / Etymology
From βασιλεύς (basileus, 'king') with the adjectival suffix -ικός, indicating pertinence or relation. The term is directly formed to describe the relation to a king or sovereign.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, βασιλικός appears as an adjective relating directly to the king, such as royal property, buildings, or attributes (e.g., royal palace: βασιλικὴ οἰκία). In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and particularly in the Koine of the New Testament (e.g., John 4:46, where it refers to a 'royal official'), the word can also function substantivally, indicating not only an attribute but an individual connected with the royal house or its administrative functions. In the Septuagint, it can refer to royal things or persons. The sense 'nobleman' in English translations is interpretive; βασιλικός strictly denotes someone or something with royal association, not necessarily nobility in the sense of general aristocracy. Its use can shade from direct belonging to the king (property, staff, decrees) to the broader sense of 'befitting royal status' or 'distinguished by royal favor.' English tradition often translates the substantive sense as 'nobleman' or 'royal official,' but these may not always distinguish the precise royal connection implied in the Greek.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from βασιλεύς; regal (in relation), i.e. (literally) belonging to (or befitting) the sovereign (as land, dress, or a courtier), or (figuratively) preeminent:--king's, nobleman, royal.
Root Family
βασιλικός (basilikos) — royal, of a king, pertaining to royalty
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G937-04 |
βασιλικὸς | basilikos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
nobleman | royal official | 2 |
G937-02 |
βασιλικῆς | basilikes | ADJ.S GEN F SG |
king's | of a royal woman | 1 |
G937-01 |
βασιλικὴν | basiliken | ADJ.A ACC F SG |
royal | royal | 1 |
G937-03 |
βασιλικὸν | basilikon | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
royal | royal official | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G937-04 |
John 4:46 | βασιλικὸς | basilikos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
nobleman | royal official |
G937-04 |
John 4:49 | βασιλικός | basilikos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
royal official | royal official |
G937-02 |
Acts 12:20 | βασιλικῆς | basilikes | ADJ.S GEN F SG |
king's | of a royal woman |
G937-01 |
Acts 12:21 | βασιλικὴν | basiliken | ADJ.A ACC F SG |
royal | royal |
G937-03 |
James 2:8 | βασιλικὸν | basilikon | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
royal | royal official |