"eldership, seniority; an embassy, legation; a body of ambassadors, legates, Lk. 14:32; 19:14*"
Definition and meaning
eldership, seniority; an embassy, legation; a body of ambassadors, legates, Lk. 14:32; 19:14*
In the original Greek the word is written: πρεσβεία
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
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 presbeia (G4242) across the King James Bible.
Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
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Common questions
Strong's G4242 (presbeia) is a Greek word that means: eldership, seniority; an embassy, legation; a body of ambassadors, legates, Lk. 14:32; 19:14* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word presbeia (G4242) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4242 is presbeia, a Greek word defined as: eldership, seniority; an embassy, legation; a body of ambassadors, legates, Lk. 14:32; 19:14*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
presbeia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.