1481. ethnarchés
Lexicon
ethnarchés: Ethnarch

Original Word: ἐθνάρχης
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: ethnarchés
Pronunciation: eth-nar-KHAYS
Phonetic Spelling: (eth-nar'-khace)
Definition: Ethnarch
Meaning: an ethnarch, tribal lord, a subordinate ruler.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
ethnarch.

From ethnos and arche; the governor (not king) of a district -- ethnarch.

see GREEK ethnos

see GREEK arche

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ethnos and archó
Definition
an ethnarch, a governor (not king) of a province
NASB Translation
ethnarch (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1481: ἐθνάρχης

ἐθνάρχης, ἐθναρχου, (from ἔθνος and ἄρχω), (equivalent to founder of a nation, Philo,quis rer. div. her. § 56), an ethnarch, one set over a people as ruler, but without the authority and name of king (Lucian, in Macrobius, § 17 ἀντί ἐθναρχου βασιλεύς ἀναγορευθεις Βοσπορου; so the governor whom the Alexandrian Jews used to have was called ἐθνάρχης, of whom Josephus says, Antiquities 14, 7, 2, ὅς διοικεῖ τέ τό ἔθνος καί δίαιτα κρίσεις καί συμβολαιων ἐπιμελειται καί προσταγμάτων, ὡς ἄνπολιτείας ἄρχων ἀυτοτελους; likewise Simon Maccabaeus, 1 Macc. 14:47 1 Macc. 15:1, 2; Josephus, Antiquities 13, 6, 6; cf. (19, 5, 2); b. j. 2, 6, 3): 2 Corinthians 11:32 ἐθνάρχης Ἁρέτα τοῦ βασιλέως, the governor of Damascene Syria, ruling in the name of king Aretas ((which see); cf. B. D. under the word , 11).

Topical Lexicon
Word Origin: Derived from two Greek words: ἔθνος (ethnos), meaning "nation" or "people," and ἄρχω (archō), meaning "to rule" or "to lead."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐθνάρχης in the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, as the concept of an ethnarch is more closely associated with the Hellenistic and Roman periods. However, similar roles in the Hebrew context might include terms like שַׂר (sar, Strong's Hebrew 8269), meaning "prince" or "chief," which denotes a leader or ruler within a specific context.

Usage: The term ἐθνάρχης is used in the New Testament to describe a leader with authority over a particular ethnic group. It appears in the context of political and social governance.

Context: The term ἐθνάρχης (ethnarchēs) is found in the New Testament in 2 Corinthians 11:32, where it refers to the ruler of Damascus under King Aretas. The passage states: "In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me." Here, the ethnarch is depicted as having jurisdiction over the city, acting under the authority of a higher monarch, King Aretas IV, who was the king of the Nabateans.

The role of an ethnarch was significant in the ancient world, as it denoted a position of leadership and responsibility over a specific ethnic group or region. This position was often granted by a higher authority, such as a king or emperor, and involved both administrative and military duties. The ethnarch was expected to maintain order, collect taxes, and represent the interests of the people under his governance.

In the broader historical context, the title of ethnarch was used in various Hellenistic and Roman territories to describe leaders who governed semi-autonomous regions. These leaders were often responsible for the local administration and were seen as intermediaries between the ruling empire and the local populace.

The use of the term in 2 Corinthians highlights the political landscape of the time, where local rulers operated under the suzerainty of larger empires, such as the Roman Empire. The mention of the ethnarch in this passage underscores the challenges faced by early Christians, including the Apostle Paul, as they navigated the complex political and social structures of the ancient world.

Forms and Transliterations
εθναρχης εθνάρχης ἐθνάρχης ethnarches ethnarchēs ethnárches ethnárchēs
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Corinthians 11:32 N-NMS
GRK: Δαμασκῷ ὁ ἐθνάρχης Ἁρέτα τοῦ
NAS: In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas
KJV: Damascus the governor under Aretas
INT: Damascus the governor under Aretas the

Strong's Greek 1481
1 Occurrence


ἐθνάρχης — 1 Occ.















1480
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