κοσμο-κράτωρ G2888
world-rulers, cosmic powers of darkness
Paul's description of spiritual warfare identifies 'the world-rulers of this darkness' as opponents (Ephesians 6:12). The compound term combines 'cosmos' (world/order) with 'kratōr' (ruler/power), suggesting beings who exercise dominion over fallen systems. Classical usage applied this title to emperors and planetary deities. Paul demotes these would-be cosmic rulers to mere enemies of the church, already defeated by Christ. The spiritual battle involves powers pretending to ultimate authority they don't actually possess.
Senses
1. sense 1 — In Ephesians' climactic passage on spiritual armor, Paul identifies the real enemy—not flesh and blood but cosmic powers that have usurped authority over the present dark age. The term's imperial and astrological associations in pagan usage make Paul's appropriation striking: these 'world-rulers' are merely defeated foes. German 'Weltbeherrscher' captures the grandiose claim. Believers wrestle against pretenders to cosmic throne who already stand under Christ's victory. 1×
AR["حُكّامِ-العالَمِ"]·ben["জগতশাসকদের-কে"]·DE["Weltbeherrscher"]·EN["world-rulers"]·FR["κοσμοκράτορας"]·heb["שׁוֹלְטֵי-עוֹלָם"]·HI["सनसर-शअसकोन"]·ID["penguasa-penguasa-dunia"]·IT["kosmokratoras"]·jav["panguwasa-jagad"]·KO["세상-주관자들-에"]·PT["dominadores-do-mundo"]·RU["мироправителей"]·ES["gobernadores-del-mundo"]·SW["watawala-wa-ulimwengu"]·TR["dunya-hakimlerine"]·urd["دنیا-کے-حکمرانوں"]
Related Senses
H8033 1. There (locative adverb) (835×)H7760a 1. put, place, set physically (444×)H8064 1. heavens / sky (329×)H5439 1. around, all around (spatial) (319×)H4057b 1. wilderness, desert region (270×)H3220 1. sea, body of water (269×)H0520a 1. cubit (unit of length) (246×)H0127 1. ground, land (territory) (210×)H3383 1. Jordan River (proper noun) (183×)G1093 1. earth, the world (176×)H5800a 1. forsake, abandon (Qal active) (166×)H8121 1. sun (celestial body) (133×)H7126 1. offer, present sacrificially (122×)H6828 1. north, cardinal direction (120×)H2351 1. outside, exterior space (119×)H5104 1. river, stream (119×)H7341 1. width, breadth (101×)G1563 1. there (95×)H7126 2. draw near, approach (95×)G2281 1. sea, large body of water (91×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
κοσμο-κράτωρ [ᾰ], ορος, ὁ, lord of the world, epithet of οὐρανός, Refs 5th c.AD+ __2 of the Emperors, Refs 2nd c.AD+ __3 Astrology texts, ruler of the κόσμος, i.e. planet, Refs 2nd c.AD+; οἱ κ. τοῦ σκότους τούτου the cosmic rulers of this sinful world, NT+4th c.AD+