Power - Terms 3

Greek Terms

There are three parts to this study.
Two cover the Hebrew terms and one covers the Greek terms.
You'll want to look at all three.
Here are the links to the three parts:

  - Power - Part 1 - Hebrew
  
Power - Part 2 - Hebrew
  - Power - Part 3 - Greek

Each of the parts presents the original language word as given by Strong's Concordance. I have also included the words from which the term was derived so you can see how the meaning was determined. There are special insights to be gained from many of the root words, so please don't overlook them.

Please remember that everything after the (:--) in Strong's definitions is a word by which the term is actually translated in the King James Version. it is not part of the definition.
G746 – arche

746. ajrch/ arche, ar-khay´; from 756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank):
— beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.

756. a‡rcomai archomai, ar´-khom-ahee; middle voice of 757 (through the implication, of precedence); to commence (in order of time):
 — (rehearse from the) begin(-ning).

It is only used in the sense of power once, in Luke 20.20. Otherwise it refers to beginning, first principles, (principalities), or first in rank (power?), or to the original form of something.

Luke 20:20 And they were watching Him scrupulously, sending out spies pretending to be just, in order that they might seize upon His words for the sake of delivering Him up to the rule (power) and the authority of the governor. 
G1325 – didomi

1325. di÷dwmi didomi, did´-o-mee; a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):
— adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.

Rev. 13:14-15 And he deceives those who are residing on the earth by those signs which he had been given to do in the presence of the beast, telling those who are residing upon the earth to make an image to the beast which had the wound by a sword yet lived. 15 And he gave the gift of breath to the image of the beast, in order that the image of the beast might even speak. And he caused as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 

In this instance the "power" is in the form a a "grant" of authority or ability.

G1411 – dunamis – used 120 times

1411. du/namiß dunamis, doo´-nam-is; from 1410; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):
— ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

1410. du/namai dunamai, doo´-nam-ahee; of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:
— be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.

This term represents inherent mighty power, mighty works, wonders. Many references to YAHWEH and The Messiah are found in connection with this term. It refers to their mighty works and abilities. We get the term dynamite from this word – residual power, potential force. It also carries the connotation of awesome power. It's the most widely used term in The New Covenant.

Matthew 6:13:  And do not lead us into difficult trials, but instead deliver us from the harmful, because Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory into the ages! Amen!

Matthew 11:20-21:  Then He began to revile the towns in which most of His mighty acts had been done, because they did not reconsider. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bet Sayada! Because if the mighty acts which were done in you had been done in Tzor and Tzidon they would have reconsidered long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 13:54:  And when He had come into His own home town He taught them in their assembly so that they were astonished and said, “From where is this wisdom and these signs?

Matthew 24:29:  Now immediately after the troubles of those days the sun will be obscured and the moon will not give its light. The stars will fall from the sky and the powers of The Heavens will be shaken.

Matthew 24:30:  And at that time the sign of The Son of Man will appear in the sky! And at that time all the races of the earth will mourn. And they will see The Son of Man coming upon the clouds of the sky with power and great magnificence.

Luke 1:17:   And He will go before Him in the nature and miraculous power of Eliyah, “to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ (Mal. 4.5) and the unpersuadable to the prudence practical wisdom of the just, or innocent preparing for YAHWEH a people that are thoroughly ready.” (It's unclear where the second part of this quotation came from. It is not found in The Old Covenant text.)

Luke 4:14:  Then YAHUSHUA returned in the miraculous power of the Divine Nature of YAHWEH to The Galil. And a report concerning Him went out through the whole surrounding region.

Luke 5:17:  Now it happened on one of the days, as He was teaching, that sitting there were also Pharisees and even teachers of the Torah who were coming out from every town of The Galil, Yahudah, and Yerushalaim. And the miraculous power of YAHWEH was present to cure them.

Luke 9:1:  Then He called together His twelve students and gave them miraculous power and authority over all unclean natures, and to heal infirmities.

Luke 10:19:  Behold! I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, even over all the power of the enemy. And not even one thing will by any means harm you.

Acts 1:8:  But on the other hand, you will receive miraculous power at the coming upon you of the set apart vital essence of YAHWEH and you will be witnesses to Me even in Yerushalaim, and in all Yahudah, and Shomeron, even to the end of the earth.”

Acts 4:33 And with great power the ambassadors gave witness to the resurrection of The Master, YAHUSHUA. And great favor was upon them all.

Acts 6:8:  And Stephen, full of trust and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Romans 1:16:  Indeed, I am not ashamed of the good news of The Messiah because it is the miraculous power of YAHWEH for the sake of deliverance to everyone who is trusting, for the Yisra'elite first and also for the Greek.

1 Corinthians 1:18 Indeed, the message of the torture stake is absurd to those who are perishing. But to us who are being saved it is the miraculous power of YAHWEH.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5:  And my words and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but rather, in a demonstration of the Divine Nature of YAHWEH and of miraculous power, 5 in order that your faith might not be in the wisdom of human beings but rather in the miraculous power of YAHWEH.

1 Corinthians 4:20:  Indeed, The Kingdom of YAHWEH is not in word but on the contrary, in power.

1 Corinthians 6:14:  Indeed, YAHWEH has even raised up The Master, and will also raise us up by means of His own miraculous power

2 Corinthians 12:9:  Yet He said to me, “My favor is sufficient for you,
because My
miraculous power is made complete in weakness.”
Therefore, with great pleasure
I will rather boast in my weaknesses
that the
miraculous power of The Messiah may abide upon me. 

Ephesians 1:19 and what is the surpassing magnitude of His miraculous power toward us who are trusting, according to the effectiveness of His vigorous strength,

Ephesians 1:21:  far above every first thing,
and every privilege,
and every
force,
and every authority,
and every name that is being named,
not only in this age but also in that which is to come,

Ephesians 3:20:  Now to the One who is able to do exceedingly abundantly
above everything that we ask or think,
according to the
miraculous power that is working in us,

2 Thessalonians 2:9 whose coming is according to the operation of The Adversary,
by every
force, and by signs, and by lying wonders,

2 Timothy 1:7 Indeed, YAHWEH has not given us a nature of timidity
but rather, of
miraculous power, and of love, and of self control.

1 Peter 3:22:  who has gone into Heaven and is at the right hand of YAHWEH, messengers and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

2 Peter 1:3 since His divine power has granted to us everything concerning life and godliness by means of the full discernment of Him who has called us for the sake of honor and excellence.

Revelation 11:17:  saying: “We are grateful to You, Sovereign YAHWEH, The Almighty, Who is and Who was and Who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and are reigning.

Revelation 12:10:  Then I heard a loud voice saying in The Heaven, “This day salvation has come, even the miraculous power and the kingdom of our Elohim and the authority of His Messiah, because the accuser of our brothers, who brought charges against them in the presence of our Elohim day and night, has been thrown down.

Revelation 19:1:  After these things
I heard a loud voice of many groups in The Heaven saying,
HallelluYAH!
Salvation and praise and honor and
miraculous power
to our Sovereign,
YAHWEH,

G1849 – exousia – used 104 times

Power, authority, freedom. Indicative of having the authority to do something, coupled with the ability to accomplish it. It us used of the freedom of choice, the ability to influence another. The references are not only to The Messiah, YAHWEH, or ourselves, but also to the demonic realm. There are several varieties to this form of power.

In The Aleph-Tav Bible this term is typically translated as "authority".

1849.
 ejxousi÷a exousia, ex-oo-see´-ah; from 1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: 

- authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

1832e¶xesti exesti, ex´-es-tee; third person singular present indicative of a compound of 1537 and 1510; so also

ejxo/n exon, ex-on´; neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of 1510 expressed);
impersonally, it is right (through the figurative idea of being out in public):
- be lawful, let, x may(-est).

John 1:12 But whoever accepted Him, to them He gave the privilege to become children of YAHWEH,

John 10:18:  Not even one takes it away from Me. On the contrary, I lay it down by Myself. I have authority to lay it down. And I have authority to receive it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

John 17:2:  inasmuch as You have given to Him all fleshly authority in order that He might give Eternal Life to as many as You have given to Him.

John 19:10-11:  Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not understand that I have authority to crucify You and authority to release You?” 11 YAHUSHUA responded, “You could have no authority at all against Me unless it had been given to you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me up to you has the greater sin.”

Matthew 7:29:  because it was so that He taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Matthew 8:9:  Indeed I also am a person under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this.’ and he does it.’”

Matthew 9:6:  Now in order that you may understand that The Son of Man has authority upon the earth to forgive offenses...” Then He said to the paralytic, “Arise! Pick up your bed, and go to your house.”

Matthew 10:1:  And having invited His twelve students to Him, He gave them authority over unclean natures, to expel then, and to heal every affliction and every disease.

Matthew 21:23-24:  And having come into The Temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached Him as He was teaching saying, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” 24 Then YAHUSHUA responded saying to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I also will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Matthew 28:18:  Then YAHUSHUA approached and spoke to them saying, “All authority has been given to Me in The Heaven and on the earth.

Mark 1:22:  And they were astonished at His instruction because He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 1:27:  And everyone was astounded, so much so that they discussed it among themselves saying, “What is this? What new instruction is this, because with authority He directs even the unclean natures and they listen attentively to Him.”

Mark 6:7:  And He called to Himself the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over unclean natures.

Luke 4:6:  And The False Accuserl said to Him, “Absolutely all this authority I will give to You, and their honor; because it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I choose.

Luke 12:5:  But I will show you whom you should fear. Fear Him who after He has killed has authority to throw into Gehenna! Truly I say to you, fear Him!

Luke 12:11: Now when they bring you before the assemblies and magistrates and authorities, do not be anxious how or what you give as an account for yourself, nor what you are to say.

Luke 20:20 And they were watching Him scrupulously, sending out spies pretending to be just, in order that they might seize upon His words for the sake of delivering Him up to the rule and the authority of the governor.

Luke 22:53:  When I was with you daily in The Temple you extended no hand against Me. However, this is your hour even the authority of obscurity.”

Acts 1:7:  But He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which The Father has placed in His own authority,

Romans 9:21:  Does the potter not have authority over the clay, from the same mass to make one vessel indeed for honor but another for dishonor?

Romans 13:1-2:  Every vital essence is to be subordinate to superior authorities, because there is no authority except from YAHWEH, and the authorities that exist are determined by YAHWEH. 2 Therefore whoever opposes the authority is opposed to the arrangement of YAHWEH, and those who are opposing will bring judgment upon themselves.

1 Corinthians 7:37:  Nevertheless, he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but having authority over his own choice, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his unmarried daughter does well.

2 Corinthians 10:8:  Indeed, even if I might boast more abundantly of this authority, which The Master has given us for edification and not for your destruction, I will not be ashamed,

2 Corinthians 13:10:  For this reason I write these things being absent lest being present I act with abruptness according to the authority which The Master has given to me for the sake of edification and not for destruction.

Ephesians 1:21:  far above every first thing, and every privilege , and every force, and every authority, and every name that is being named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come,

Ephesians 2:2:  in which you formerly walked according to this worldly age, according to the chief ruler prince of the authority of the air, the nature which is now working in the children of disbelief.

Ephesians 6:12:  Indeed, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but rather, we wrestle against chief rulers, against authorities against the world rulers of the darkness of this age, against non-carnall depravity in The Heavens.

Colossians 1:13:  He has delivered us from the authority of the darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of The Son of His love,

Colossians 1:16 because by Him everything has been created, that which is in the skies and that which is upon the earth, that capable of being seen and that not capable of being seen, whether thrones or dominions or first in rank or authorities. Everything has been created through Him and for His sake.

Colossians 2:10:  And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and authority,

Titus 3:1:  Remind them to be subordinate to rulers and authorities, submitting to authority, being ready for every good work,

Revelation 2:26:  And he who conquers and protects My works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.

Revelation 11:6:  hese have authority to shut up the sky so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy. They also have authority over the waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with every calamity whenever they desire.

Revelation 12:10:  Then I heard a loud voice saying in The Heaven, “This day salvation has come, even the miraculous power and the kingdom of our Elohim and the authority of His Messiah, because the accuser of our brothers, who brought charges against them in the presence of our Elohim day and night, has been thrown down.

Revelation 13:2 And the living being which I saw was like a leopard. His feet were like the feet of a bear and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave to him his power, and his throne, and great authority.

Revelation 20:6:  Happy and set apart is one who has a part in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no authority. On the contrary, they will be priests of YAHWEH and of The Messiah, and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

Revelation 22:14 Happy are those who are doing these instructions, in order that they will have the privilege to the tree of life and may enter into the gates into the city.

G2479 – ischus – used 11 times

2479. ijscu/ß ischus, is-khoos´; from a derivative of ijß is (force;
compare
e¶scon eschon, a form of 2192); forcefulness (literally or figuratively): 
- ability, might(-ily), power, strength.

Mark 12:30:  And you are to love YAHWEH, your Elohim, with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first teaching.

Mark 12:33:  And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the being, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Ephesians 1:19:  And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,

Ephesians 6:10:  Finally, my brothers, be strong in The Master, and in the power of His might.

2 Thessalonians 1:9:  Who will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of YAHWEH, and from the glory of His power;

2 Peter 2:11:  Whereas YAH-messengers, who are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before YAHWEH.

Revelation 5:12:  Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is The Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and splendor, and blessing.

Revelation 7:12:  Saying, Amen: Blessing, and honor, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and wealth, and power, and might, be unto our Elohim for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 18:2:  And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become the habitation of unclean natures, and the hold of every foul nature, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

G2904 – kratos – used 12 times

2904. kratoskrat´-os; perhaps a primary word; vigor (“great”) (literally or figuratively): 

- dominion, might(-ily), power, strength.

Luke 1:51 He makes powerWith His arm He scatters the arrogant in the deep thoughts of their hearts.

Acts 19:20 In this manner the word of YAHWEH grew mightily and prevailed.

Hebrews 2:14:  Certainly then since the children share flesh and blood, He Himself in a similar manner participated in the same, in order that through death He might render entirely useless him who has “the power of death” that is, The False Accuser,

Ephesians 6:10:  Finally, my brothers, be strong in YAHWEH and in the vigor of His power.

Colossians 1:11:  enabled with every ability according to the vigor of His glorious power, for the sake of all endurance and patience amidst cheerfulness;

Jude 25:  to the only wise Elohim, our Deliverer, be honor and majesty, dominion and authority, both now and for eternity. Amen.

Revelation 5:13:  And every creature which is in The Heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are upon the sea and all that are in it I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and dominion be to Him who sits on the throne, and to The Lamb, into the ages of eternity!”

G3168 – megaleiotes – used three times

(This may refer to the Shekinah glory.)

3168. megaleio/thß megaleiotes, meg-al-i-ot´-ace; from 3167;
 superbness, i.e. glory or splendor:
- magnificence, majesty, mighty power.

3167. megalei√oß megaleios, meg-al-i´-os; from 3173; magnificent,
i.e. (neuter, plural as noun) a conspicuous favor, or (subjectively) perfection:
- great things, wonderful works.
3173me÷gaß megas, meg´-as;
(including the prolonged forms, feminine megale, plural megaloi, etc.;
compare also 3176, 3187);
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application):
- (+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, x to years
.

Luke 9:43 And they were all astonished at the magnificence of YAHWEH. Now as everyone was marveling over everything which YAHUSHUA was doing He said to His students,

Acts 19:27 Now not only is this trade of ours in danger of coming into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may become despised and even her magnificence is about to be demolished, whom Asia and the whole world worship.”

2 Peter 1:16:  Indeed, we have not followed cunningly devised myths in making known to you the miraculous power and coming near of our Master, YAHUSHUA, The Messiah, but were eyewitnesses of His magnificence.


If you've taken the time to review these Scriptures you've discovered there are numerous understandings of power. It's not as simple as it first looks. Titles of power were not included (i.e. kings, princes, chiefs, captains, etc.) which adds yet another dimension to this subject. 

The concept of authority has also not been developed in any serious manner, though it has been touched on somewhat. The terminology itself leads us there.

What is clear in reviewing these passages is the realization that all power has its original source in YAHWEH Himself. Without Him no one would have any power whatsoever - we wouldn't even exist. And without His involvement in the affairs of those who wield power in its various forms things would be dramatically different. Without His interventions the actions of the powerful would be far more harmful than they already are. 

In your struggle with 'the powerful" in your life perhaps The Word of YAHWEH can provide some comfort and encouragement. In the end YAHWEH alone has the final say. Every inappropriate use of power will be judged by Him. There will be complete justice meted out one day. In that lies our hope, our faith, and our ability to carry on.



NOTE These pages are a "work in progress". They're updated fairly often as new information or insights are provided that require a change in what's presented. Please check back regularly to see what may have changed since your last visit. Scripture verses used on the site are from The Aleph-Tav BibleThey're not always presented on these pages in exactly the same format as they occur in the text due to space considerations but the text is the same. Download or print your own copy today.  
Personal use is free, but these are not to be used for any commercial purpose. Please contact the site owner if you have an interest in commercial usage.

May YAHWEH speak to your heart and bless you with understanding as you explore His Word.