"a guide; a leader; a chieftain, prince, Mt. 2:6; a Roman provincial governor, under whatever title, Mt. 10:18; 27:2; Lk. 20:20; Acts 23:24"
Definition and meaning
a guide; a leader; a chieftain, prince, Mt. 2:6; a Roman provincial governor, under whatever title, Mt. 10:18; 27:2; Lk. 20:20; Acts 23:24
In the original Greek the word is written: ἡγεμών
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 hegemon (G2232) across the King James Bible.
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
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Common questions
Strong's G2232 (hegemon) is a Greek word that means: a guide; a leader; a chieftain, prince, Mt. 2:6; a Roman provincial governor, under whatever title, Mt. 10:18; 27:2; Lk. 20:20; Acts 23:24 It appears 21 times in the King James Bible.
The word hegemon (G2232) appears 21 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2232 is hegemon, a Greek word defined as: a guide; a leader; a chieftain, prince, Mt. 2:6; a Roman provincial governor, under whatever title, Mt. 10:18; 27:2; Lk. 20:20; Acts 23:24. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hegemon is a Greek word found in the New Testament.