"the first place of reclining at table, the most honorable place at table, Mt. 23:6; Mk. 12:39; Lk. 14:7, 8; 20:46"
Definition and meaning
the first place of reclining at table, the most honorable place at table, Mt. 23:6; Mk. 12:39; Lk. 14:7, 8; 20:46
In the original Greek the word is written: πρωτοκλισία
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 protoklisia (G4411) across the King James Bible.
And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G4411 (protoklisia) is a Greek word that means: the first place of reclining at table, the most honorable place at table, Mt. 23:6; Mk. 12:39; Lk. 14:7, 8; 20:46 It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word protoklisia (G4411) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4411 is protoklisia, a Greek word defined as: the first place of reclining at table, the most honorable place at table, Mt. 23:6; Mk. 12:39; Lk. 14:7, 8; 20:46. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
protoklisia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.