Lexical Summary kephalé: Head Original Word: κεφαλή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance head. From the primary kapto (in the sense of seizing); the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively -- head. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition the head NASB Translation chief (4), hair (1), head (50), heads (19), very (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2776: κεφαλήκεφαλή, κεφαλῆς, ἡ, the Sept. for רֹאשׁ; the head, both of men: Matthew 5:36; Mark 6:24; Luke 7:38, 44 (Rec.),46; John 13:9; Acts 18:18; 1 Corinthians 11:4; Revelation 1:14; Revelation 4:4, and often; and of animals: Revelation 9:7, 17, 19, etc.; on the phrases κλίνειν τήν κεφαλήν, ἐπαίρειν τήν κεφαλήν, see κλίνω, 1 and ἐπαίρω; on the saying in Romans 12:20, see under ἄνθραξ. Since the loss of the head destroys the life, κεφαλή is used in phrases relating to capital and extreme punishments: so in τό αἷμα ὑμῶν ἐπί τήν κεφαλήν ὑμῶν (see αἷμα, 2 a., p. 15{b}), Acts 18:6, and similar phrases in classical Greek; see Passow, under the word, p. 1717{a}; Pape under the word, 3; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, I. 3 and 4). Metaphorically, anything supreme, chief, prominent; of persons, master, lord: τίνος, of a husband in relation to his wife, 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23; of Christ, the lord of the husband, 1 Corinthians 11:3 (cf. Buttmann, 124f (109)); of the church, Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 2:19 (cf. Buttmann, § 143, 4 c.); τοῦ σώματος τῆς ἐκκλησίας, Colossians 1:18; πάσης ἀρχῆς καί ἐξουσίας, Colossians 2:10; so Judges 11:11; 2 Samuel 22:44, and in Byzantine writings of things: κεφαλῆς γωνίας, the corner-stone, see γωνία, a. ((From Homer down.)) Topical Lexicon Physical Head and Created Dignity From Matthew 10:30 to Luke 21:18 the word describes the literal head as the seat of life and identity. The Creator’s intimate care is underscored: “even the hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:30). The guarantee that “not a hair of your head will perish” (Luke 21:18) assures believers of bodily resurrection and divine sovereignty over every detail. Gestures of Honor or Contempt The head is kissed, anointed, or crowned in reverence (Luke 7:46; John 19:2; Revelation 4:4), yet also shaken or wounded in scorn (Matthew 27:39; Mark 15:29; Revelation 13:3). These contrasting gestures trace the gospel story: Jesus is mocked with a crown of thorns, then exalted with “many crowns” (Revelation 19:12). Headship and Authority Paul employs κεφαλή to set forth God-ordained order. “Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:3). The term establishes both source and governance, never diminishing worth but clarifying roles. In marriage, “the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church” (Ephesians 5:23), calling men to sacrificial leadership that images the Savior. Christ the Head of the Church Ecclesiology reaches its summit in Colossians. Jesus is “the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18); in Him believers are “made complete” (Colossians 2:10). Growth happens only when the body “grows with a growth that is from God” as it holds fast “to the Head” (Colossians 2:19). Every ministry gift flows from this living union (Ephesians 4:15–16). Cornerstone and Capstone Acts 4:11 cites Psalm 118 to declare Christ the rejected stone that became “the cornerstone” (κεφαλήν γωνίας). Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, and 1 Peter 2:7 repeat the image. The same term for head underscores his position as both origin and finishing touch of God’s redemptive house. Prophetic and Apocalyptic Imagery Revelation teems with symbolic heads: the dragon’s seven heads (Revelation 12:3), the beast’s mortal-healed head (Revelation 13:3), and scarlet beast with blasphemous heads (Revelation 17:3, 7). These portray composite world powers arrogating authority that belongs to Christ alone. The Lamb’s final triumph crowns the true Head “with many crowns” (Revelation 19:12). Suffering, Martyrdom, and Resurrection Hope John the Baptist’s head on a platter (Matthew 14:8–11; Mark 6:24–28) anticipates the world’s hatred of prophetic truth. At Calvary Jesus “bowed His head and yielded up His spirit” (John 19:30), an act not of defeat but of completed atonement, soon vindicated when “the cloth that had been around Jesus’ head” lay folded in the empty tomb (John 20:7). Nazarite and Vow Motifs Acts 18:18 and Acts 21:24 reference head-shaving linked to vows, hearkening back to Numbers 6. The practice distinguishes consecration and completion of a pledge, forecasting the believer’s set-apart life under the Lordship of Christ. Anointing and Worship Fragrant oil poured on Jesus’ head at Bethany (Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:3) models lavish honor. The repentant woman wetting His feet with tears had earlier “not anointed My head with oil” (Luke 7:46), contrasting religious lukewarmness with heartfelt devotion. Mercy Toward Enemies Romans 12:20 cites Proverbs 25:22: acts of kindness “heap burning coals on his head.” Far from vindictive, the idiom envisions shame leading to repentance, mirroring God’s kindness that leads sinners to salvation. Pilgrimage and Pilgrim Savior Foxes have dens, “but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58). The incarnate Head of creation embraced homelessness to secure eternal dwelling for His people. Pastoral Assurance and Perseverance Luke 21:28 exhorts, “Lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Believers respond in hope, heads high, eyes fixed on their returning Head, knowing that history culminates in His unveiled glory. Forms and Transliterations κεφαλαι κεφαλαί κεφαλαὶ κεφαλαίς κεφαλας κεφαλάς κεφαλὰς κεφαλη κεφαλή κεφαλὴ κεφαλῇ κεφαλην κεφαλήν κεφαλὴν κεφαλης κεφαλής κεφαλῆς κεφαλων κεφαλών κεφαλῶν kephalai kephalaì kephalas kephalás kephalàs kephale kephalē kephalḗ kephalḕ kephalêi kephalē̂i kephalen kephalēn kephalḗn kephalḕn kephales kephalês kephalēs kephalē̂s kephalon kephalôn kephalōn kephalō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 5:36 N-DFSGRK: ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ σου ὀμόσῃς NAS: shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot KJV: by thy head, because thou canst INT: by the head of you shall you swear Matthew 6:17 N-AFS Matthew 8:20 N-AFS Matthew 10:30 N-GFS Matthew 14:8 N-AFS Matthew 14:11 N-NFS Matthew 21:42 N-AFS Matthew 26:7 N-GFS Matthew 27:29 N-GFS Matthew 27:30 N-AFS Matthew 27:37 N-GFS Matthew 27:39 N-AFP Mark 6:24 N-AFS Mark 6:25 N-AFS Mark 6:27 N-AFS Mark 6:28 N-AFS Mark 12:10 N-AFS Mark 14:3 N-GFS Mark 15:19 N-AFS Mark 15:29 N-AFP Luke 7:38 N-GFS Luke 7:46 N-AFS Luke 9:58 N-AFS Luke 12:7 N-GFS Luke 20:17 N-AFS Strong's Greek 2776 |
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