Lexical Definition
ἐπίσκοπος epískopos (ep-is'-kop-os) overseer G:N-M
from ἐπί and σκοπός (in the sense of ἐπισκοπέω)
bishop, overseer.
- a superintendent, i.e. Christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively)
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| ἐπισκόπουσ | overseers | Acts.20.28 |
| ἐπισκόποισ | overseers | Phil.1.1 |
| ἐπίσκοπον | overseer | 1Tim.3.2 • 2Tim.4.22 • Titus.1.7 • Titus.3.15 • 1Pet.2.25 |
| επισκόπων | overseers | LXX.2Chr.34.17 |
| επισκόπουσ | overseers | LXX.2Kgs.11.18 • LXX.Jer.31.21 |
| your overseers | LXX.Isa.60.17 | |
| επισκόπου | overseer | LXX.Job.20.29 |
| επισκόποισ | overseers | LXX.Num.31.14 • LXX.2Kgs.11.15 |
| επίσκοποσ | his overseer | LXX.Judg.9.28 |
| overseer | LXX.Num.4.16 • LXX.Neh.11.9 • LXX.Neh.11.14 • LXX.Neh.11.22 • LXX.Neh.12.42 | |
| επίσκοποι | overseers | LXX.2Chr.34.12 |
Abbott-Smith
ἐπί-σκοπος, -ου, ὁ (< σκοπός, a watcher), [in LXX for פָּקַד, its parts and derivatives, Nu 4:16 31:14, Jg 9:28, IV Ki 11:15, 18, II Ch 34:12, 17, Ne 11:9, 14, 22; אֵל, Jb 20:29; נוֹגַשׂ:, Is 60:17; Wi 1:6, I Mac 1:51 * ;]
a superintendent, guardian, overseer (cl.; for exx. v. LS, s.v.): Ac 20:28, I Pe 2:25 (ICC, in l.); as technical term for a religious office (Deiss., BS, 230 f.), in later Paul. epp. of the head of a church (Vg. episcopus), a bishop: Phl 1:1, I Ti 3:2, Tit 1:7 (v. reff. s.v. ἐπισκοπή).†
Abbott-Smith References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Numbers | 4:16 · 31:14 |
| Judges | 9:28 |
| 2 Kings | 11:15 · 11:18 |
| 2 Chronicles | 34:12 · 34:17 |
| Nehemiah | 11:9 · 11:14 · 11:22 |
| Job | 20:29 |
| Isaiah | 60:17 |
| Acts | 20:28 |
| Philippians | 1:1 |
| 1 Timothy | 3:2 |
| Titus | 1:7 |
| 1 Peter | 2:25 |
Liddell-Scott-Jones
ἐπίσκοπος-ος, ὁ,
__A (σκοπός 1) one who watches over, overseer, guardian, ἦ γὰρ ὄλωλας ἐπίσκοποςος, ὅς τέ μιν αὐτὴν ῥύσκευ (i.e. τὴν πόλιν), of Hector, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἐπίσκοποςοι ἁρμονιάων watchers over compacts, of the gods, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἐ. ὀϊστῶν, of an archer, variant in [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; in education, tutor, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; especially of tutelary gods (compare ἐπισκοπέὠ, Παλλὰς ἐ. [Refs 6th c.BC+]; Χάριτες Μινυᾶν ἐ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; πατρῴων δωμάτων ἐ. [Refs]; τὸ δεινὸν.. φρενῶν ἐπίσκοποςον guardian of the mind, [Refs]; νυχίων φθεγμάτων ἐ., of Bacchus, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; [Χριστὸς] ἐ. τῶν ψυχῶν [NT+5th c.BC+]
__A.2. scout, watch, c.dative, ἐ. Τρώεσσι, νήεσσιν ἡμετέρῃσιν, one set to watch them, [Refs 8th c.BC+]
__A.3. supervisor, inspector, sent by Athens to subject states, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of municipal officials at Rhodes, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]
__A.4. ecclesiastical superintendent, ἐπίσκοποςοι καὶ διάκονοι [NT]
LSJ Scripture Refs: 1Pet.2.25 ☩ Phil.1.1 ☩ Acts.20.28 ☩ 1Tim.3.2