"the master or head of a house or family, Mt. 10:25; 13:27, 52"
Definition and meaning
the master or head of a house or family, Mt. 10:25; 13:27, 52
In the original Greek the word is written: οἰκοδεσπότης
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 oikodespotes (G3617) across the King James Bible.
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
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Common questions
Strong's G3617 (oikodespotes) is a Greek word that means: the master or head of a house or family, Mt. 10:25; 13:27, 52 It appears 12 times in the King James Bible.
The word oikodespotes (G3617) appears 12 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3617 is oikodespotes, a Greek word defined as: the master or head of a house or family, Mt. 10:25; 13:27, 52. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
oikodespotes is a Greek word found in the New Testament.