ἀρχιτρίκλινος (architriklinos)
architriklinos
head waiter
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun architriklinos refers to the superintendent of a banquet, often translated as "master of the feast" or head waiter. Its structure reveals its function: it combines a prefix meaning "chief" with a word for a dining room featuring three couches. This person was responsible for arranging the tables and overseeing the service during formal meals.
In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, both in the Gospel of John. It describes the official who tests the quality of the wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:9). The role implies authority over the household staff and a duty to ensure the guests are satisfied, making him the natural point of contact when something unusual occurs.
Translators typically render this word as "master of the feast" to capture his supervisory status. While the title sounds official, it likely denotes a senior servant rather than a noble guest. The term highlights the organized nature of Jewish hospitality in the first century, where managing such events required significant skill and discretion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word architriklinos describes a head waiter or master of the banquet. In first-century Jewish culture, hosting a wedding was a major social duty that required careful planning and discretion. This official managed the dining room, supervised the servants, and ensured every guest was well cared for. It is a role defined by service rather than status.
When this figure appears in John 2:9, he tastes the water turned into wine at Cana. He recognizes the quality of the gift without knowing its source. This moment shows how ordinary people can witness extraordinary grace. The head waiter’s attention to detail highlights God’s care for our celebrations and daily needs.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God notices the small details of life. Just as the head waiter ensured the guests were satisfied, God attends to your heart with precision and love. You are never overlooked in His plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- master of the feast2×
- master of the feast.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀρχιτρίκλινος2×
- ἀρχιτρικλίνῳ.1×
Key Verses
-
John 2:8
He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it.
This verse establishes the head waiter's authority over the banquet service, showing he is the one who receives the wine to evaluate it.
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John 2:9
When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom
Here the head waiter tastes the miracle and calls the bridegroom, demonstrating his role as a discerning witness to God's hidden work.