What does ἀρχή · ἀπό mean in the Bible?
ἀρχή · ἀπό: Primary meaning: originating point or source; secondarily, those who hold first rank or authority
Greek · G746, G575
ἀρχή
Beginning · away from
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
ἀρχή G746 beginning
Pronunciation archḗ
Beginning as origin or first cause; also means rule/authority when referring to cosmic powers or earthly governance.
Open lexicon entry →
ἀπό G575 away from
Pronunciation apó
Open lexicon entry →
What does ἀρχή (archḗ) mean in the Bible?
ἀρχή · ἀπό: Primary meaning: originating point or source; secondarily, those who hold first rank or authority
Full entry for ἀρχή (G746, G575) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G746, G575?
G746, G575 is connected to 55 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. Primary meaning: originating point or source; secondarily, those who hold first rank or authority
Strong's G746, G575
Lexical occurrences 55 verses Word forms 7 forms 55 references Study link Jude 1:5–7 Source Gloss
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
Extended definition
Primary meaning: originating point or source; secondarily, those who hold first rank or authority
:--beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 7 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns 7 Aligned forms 55 Case pattern Genitive (26) Number pattern Singular (45)
Nominative · Singular · Feminine Matt 24:8 · Mark 1:1 · Mark 13:8 · Col 1:18 · Rev 3:14 · Rev 21:6 · Rev 22:13 7×
Nominative · Plural · Feminine Rom 8:38 · Col 1:16 2×
Genitive · Singular · Feminine Matt 19:4 · Matt 19:8 · Matt 24:21 · Mark 10:6 · Mark 13:19 · Luke 1:2 · John 6:64 · John 8:44 · John 15:27 · John 16:4 · Acts 26:4 · Eph 1:21 · Col 2:10 · Heb 5:12 · Heb 6:1 · 2 Pet 3:4 26×
Dative · Singular · Feminine Luke 20:20 · John 1:1 · John 1:2 · Acts 11:15 · Phil 4:15 5×
Dative · Plural · Feminine Acts 10:11 · Acts 11:5 · Eph 3:10 · Titus 3:1 4×
Accusative · Singular · Feminine John 2:11 · John 8:25 · 1 Cor 15:24 · Heb 2:3 · Heb 3:14 · Heb 7:3 · Jude 1:6 7×
Accusative · Plural · Feminine Luke 12:11 · Eph 6:12 · Col 2:15 · Heb 1:10 4×
Sampled Scripture Occurrences
Representative Scripture witnesses for this entry: passage, original form, and sense in context.
Additional Occurrences
1-john From the beginning archḗ · apó
from the origin or eternal commencement
1-john From the beginning archḗ · apó
from the origin of proclamation
Jude 1:5–7 ἀρχή archḗ · apó
domain; rule; assigned authority
Luke 20:20–26 ἀρχῇ archḗ · apó
Authority, rule
Mark 1:1–8 ἀρχή archḗ · apó
beginning, origin, inauguration
New Testament Witnesses
domain, rule, assigned authority
Word Origins
ἀρχή is built from this root:
Why This Word Matters
Highlights rebellion against divine order, not merely misconduct.
Highlights rebellion against divinely appointed order.
Links mature knowledge of God to recognition of the eternal Son emphasized earlier in the letter.
Anchors faith in the original apostolic witness rather than evolving reinterpretations.
Canonical Themes
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain