Κανδάκη (Kandakē)
Kandakē
Candace
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun Kandakē refers to a queen of Ethiopia, specifically mentioned in Acts 8:27 as the ruler over which an Ethiopian eunuch served as her chief treasurer. In this single biblical occurrence, it identifies the sovereign authority behind one of the earliest conversions described in the New Testament.
Lexical sources clarify that Candace was not a personal name given to an individual, but rather a dynastic title held by queens of the Kingdom of Meroë. This usage parallels titles like "Pharaoh" or "Caesar," indicating that the woman mentioned was one in a line of rulers bearing this specific designation.
The etymology suggests a meaning related to "prince of servants" or royal authority, reflecting the high status of the monarchy in ancient Nubia. By using this title, the text emphasizes the official and political nature of the eunuch’s mission, highlighting how the gospel reached influential figures in distant regions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Candace appears in Acts 8:27 as the title for a powerful queen of Ethiopia. It was not a personal first name but a royal designation, similar to how we might use 'Queen' or 'Pharaoh' today. This detail highlights that the early church reached people of high status and significant influence in distant lands.
When Philip met the eunuch serving this queen, he shared the good news with someone who held great power. This story shows that God’s message is for everyone, regardless of their rank or location. It encourages us to see our own roles as opportunities to share faith with those around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Candace1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Κανδάκης1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 8:27
He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship.
This verse identifies Candace as the sovereign authority behind the Ethiopian eunuch, showing that the gospel reached high-ranking officials in distant regions.