μεγιστάν (megistan)
megistan
great man
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun megistan refers to a person of high rank, such as a nobleman, grandee, or chief official within a city or royal court. Derived from the word for "greatest," it identifies those who hold significant social or political power, often serving as advisors or associates to a king.
While the singular form appears in Mark 6:21 describing the guests at Herod’s birthday banquet, the plural megistanes is more common in Scripture. In Revelation 6:15 and 18:23, it describes the elite of the earth—kings, nobles, and military commanders—who recognize the arrival of divine judgment or the fall of Babylon.
This term highlights the contrast between worldly authority and spiritual reality. The sources note its use for powerful figures who are ultimately subject to God’s sovereignty, reminding readers that even the highest earthly ranks cannot escape divine reckoning.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word megistan describes individuals who hold significant social or political power, often serving as advisors or associates to a king. In Mark 6:21, it refers to the nobles and chief men gathered at Herod’s birthday banquet. This scene highlights how worldly authority can be entangled in moral compromise, showing that even those with high status are not immune to poor decisions.
While these figures represent earthly influence, Scripture reminds us that their power is temporary. In Revelation, the same term describes kings and commanders who hide in fear when divine judgment arrives. This contrast invites us to consider where our trust lies. Earthly ranks may command respect, but they cannot shield anyone from God’s sovereignty.
For your faith, this word offers a gentle perspective on status and security. It encourages humility by showing that no amount of influence can replace reliance on God. Instead of seeking validation through position or power, we are invited to find our identity in Christ, whose kingdom endures forever.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- great ones2×
- great men1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μεγιστᾶνες2×
- μεγιστᾶσιν1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 6:21
Then a convenient day came when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
This occurrence identifies the nobles and chief men at Herod’s banquet, illustrating how high social rank can be associated with moral compromise.
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Revelation of John 6:15
The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains.
Here the term describes powerful figures who hide in terror during divine judgment, demonstrating that earthly authority offers no protection from God’s reckoning.
-
Revelation of John 18:23
The light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you. The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will be heard no more at all in you, for your merchants were the princes of the earth; for with your sorcery all the nations were deceived.
The word refers to the princes of Babylon whose deception influenced nations, showing how worldly elites can lead others astray before falling under judgment.