αὐθεντ-έω G0831
To exercise authority over, dominate; to control or govern another person
This verb means to wield authority or exercise dominion over someone. In classical usage it could describe legitimate authority but sometimes implied autocratic domination. Paul uses it in 1 Timothy regarding women's role in church teaching, prohibiting them from 'exercising authority over' men in the congregational setting. The word's precise nuance is debated—whether it means normal authority or something more like domineering—affecting how interpreters understand Paul's instruction.
Senses
1. sense 1 — First Timothy 2:12 forbids women 'to exercise authority' (Spanish 'ejercer autoridad,' German 'Gewalt ausüben' = wield power) over men in teaching contexts. The verb's background includes both legitimate authority and autocratic domination, making interpretation complex. Paul prohibits women from the authoritative teaching role in gathered worship, though the exact scope (all teaching? only congregational? only over men?) and rationale continue to generate discussion among interpreters. 1×
AR["أَنْ-تَتَسَلَّطَ"]·ben["কর্তৃত্ব-করতে"]·DE["Gewalt-ausueben"]·EN["to-exercise-authority"]·FR["αὐθεντεῖν"]·heb["לִשְׁלֹט"]·HI["अधिकअर-जमन"]·ID["memerintah"]·IT["authentein"]·jav["nguwasani"]·KO["지배하기를"]·PT["exercer-autoridade-sobre"]·RU["властвовать"]·ES["ejercer-autoridad"]·SW["kutawala"]·TR["hükmetmek"]·urd["اختیار-چلانا"]
Related Senses
G2962 1. Lord (divine title) (661×)H0136 1. Lord (divine title) (440×)H0113 1. lord, human superior (249×)G1849 1. authority, power (91×)H6485a 2. Qal: punish, bring judgment (63×)H8198 1. maidservant, female slave (63×)G2962 2. master, lord (human authority) (61×)H0034 1. needy, poor, destitute (61×)H0519 1. female servant, maidservant (56×)H6041 1. poor, needy person (55×)H0113 2. master, owner of servants (49×)H4910 1. Qal: to have dominion, exercise power over (44×)H1800 1. poor, needy (socioeconomic) (38×)H3515 1. heavy, severe, grievous (36×)G4434 1. (34×)G5092 1. honor, esteem, respect (33×)H6485a 4. Qal: visit, attend to, care for (32×)H3513 1. honor / show respect (Piel) (30×)H4910 2. Qal: to rule, govern (administrative authority) (27×)H4513 1. withhold, restrain, hold back (25×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
αὐθεντ-έω, to have full power or authority over, τινός I NT+1st c.BC+: with infinitive, Refs 6th c.AD+ __2 commit a murder, Refs 4th c.BC+