"a king, monarch, one possessing regal authority"
Definition and meaning
a king, monarch, one possessing regal authority
In the original Greek the word is written: βασιλεύς
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of basileus (G935) across the King James Bible.
And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
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Common questions
Strong's G935 (basileus) is a Greek word that means: a king, monarch, one possessing regal authority It appears 107 times in the King James Bible.
The word basileus (G935) appears 107 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G935 is basileus, a Greek word defined as: a king, monarch, one possessing regal authority. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
basileus is a Greek word found in the New Testament.