Strong's Greek: 2012. ἐπίτροπος (epitropos) -- Steward, guardian, manager, overseer

Strong's Lexicon

epitropos: Steward, guardian, manager, overseer

Original Word: ἐπίτροπος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: epitropos
Pronunciation: eh-PEE-tro-pos
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-it'-rop-os)
Definition: Steward, guardian, manager, overseer
Meaning: (a) (procurator) a steward, (b) (tutor) a guardian (appointed for an infant [under 14 perhaps] by the father or by a magistrate).

Word Origin: From the Greek preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning "over" or "upon") and the verb τρέπω (trepo, meaning "to turn" or "to direct").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with the role of a steward or overseer is סָרִיס (sarīs), which can mean "official" or "eunuch," depending on the context. Another related term is נָגִיד (nagid), meaning "leader" or "ruler."

Usage: The term "epitropos" refers to a person who is entrusted with the management or oversight of another's affairs. In the New Testament, it is used to describe someone who has been given authority or responsibility over property, people, or tasks. This role is akin to that of a steward or guardian, who is accountable to the owner or master for their management.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, an "epitropos" was often appointed to manage the estate of a wealthy individual, especially in cases where the heir was a minor. This role was crucial in ensuring the proper administration and protection of assets until the heir came of age. The concept of stewardship was well understood in ancient societies, where trust and accountability were paramount in such relationships.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from epitrepó
Definition
an administrator (one having authority)
NASB Translation
foreman (1), guardians (1), steward (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2012: ἐπίτροπος

ἐπίτροπος, ἐπιτρόπου, ὁ (ἐπιτρέπω), universally, one to whose care or honor anything has been intrusted; a curator, guardian, (Pindar Ol. 1, 171, et al.; Philo de mundo § 7 ὁ Θεός καί πατήρ καί τεχνίτης καί ἐπίτροπος τῶν ἐν οὐρανῷ τέ καί ἐν κόσμῳ). Specifically,

1. a steward or manager of a household, or of lands; an overseer: Matthew 20:8; Luke 8:3; Xenophon, oec. 12, 2; 21, 9; (Aristotle, oec. 1, 5 (p. 1344a, 26) δούλων δέ εἴδη δύω, ἐπίτροπος καί ἐργάτης).

2. one who has the care and tutelage of children, either where the father is dead (a guardian of minors: 2 Macc. 11:1 2Macc. 13:2; ἐπίτροπος ὀρθανων, Plato, legg. 6, p. 766 c.; Plutarch, Lyc. 3; Cam. 15), or where the father still lives (Aelian v. h. 3, 26): Galatians 4:2.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

steward, guardian

From epi and tropos (in the sense of epitrope); a commissioner, i.e. Domestic manager, guardian -- steward, tutor.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK tropos

see GREEK epitrope

Forms and Transliterations

επιτροπου επιτρόπου ἐπιτρόπου επιτροπους επιτρόπους ἐπιτρόπους επιτροπω επιτρόπω ἐπιτρόπῳ epitropo epitropō epitrópoi epitrópōi epitropou epitrópou epitropous epitrópous

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