"to lead the way; to take the lead, Acts 14:12; to be chief, to preside, govern, rule, Mt. 2:6; Acts 7:10; ἡγούμενος, a chief officer in the church, Heb. 13:7, 17, 24; also, to think, consider, count, esteem, regard, Acts 26:2; 2 Cor. 9:5"
Definition and meaning
to lead the way; to take the lead, Acts 14:12; to be chief, to preside, govern, rule, Mt. 2:6; Acts 7:10; ἡγούμενος, a chief officer in the church, Heb. 13:7, 17, 24; also, to think, consider, count, esteem, regard, Acts 26:2; 2 Cor. 9:5
In the original Greek the word is written: ἡγέομαι
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 hegeomai (G2233) 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.
But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
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Common questions
Strong's G2233 (hegeomai) is a Greek word that means: to lead the way; to take the lead, Acts 14:12; to be chief, to preside, govern, rule, Mt. 2:6; Acts 7:10; ἡγούμενος, a chief officer in the church, Heb. 13:7, 17, 24; also, to think, consider, count, ... It appears 27 times in the King James Bible.
The word hegeomai (G2233) appears 27 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2233 is hegeomai, a Greek word defined as: to lead the way; to take the lead, Acts 14:12; to be chief, to preside, govern, rule, Mt. 2:6; Acts 7:10; ἡγούμενος, a chief officer in the church, He. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hegeomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.