2903. kratistos
Berean Strong's Lexicon
kratistos: Most excellent, most noble

Original Word: κράτιστος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: kratistos
Pronunciation: KRAH-tis-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (krat'-is-tos)
Definition: Most excellent, most noble
Meaning: most excellent, an official epithet, used in addressing a Roman of high rank, and in the second century one of equestrian (as distinguished from senatorial) rank.

Word Origin: Superlative form of the Greek word "kratys," meaning strong or mighty.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "kratistos," the concept of addressing someone with honor and respect can be seen in Hebrew terms like "אֲדֹנִי" (adonai, meaning "my lord") or "נָשִׂיא" (nasi, meaning "prince" or "leader").

Usage: The term "kratistos" is used as a title of respect and honor, often addressing individuals of high social or political standing. It conveys a sense of nobility, excellence, or superiority in rank or character.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, titles such as "kratistos" were commonly used to address officials, dignitaries, or individuals of high status. This reflects the hierarchical nature of ancient societies, where social rank and honorific titles were significant. The use of such titles in the New Testament indicates the early Christians' awareness of and engagement with the cultural norms of their time.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
superl. from kratus (strong)
Definition
strongest, noblest
NASB Translation
most excellent (4).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2903: κράτιστος

κράτιστος, κρατίστη, κράτιστον, superlative of the adjective κρατύς (κράτος) (from (Homer) Pindar down), mightiest, strongest, noblest, most illustrious, best, most excellent: vocative κράτιστε used in addressing men of conspicuous rank or office, Acts 23:26; Acts 24:3; Acts 26:25, (Otto, De ep. ad Diognetum etc. Jena 1845, p. 79ff, and in his Epist. ad Diognet. Leips. edition, p. 53f, has brought together examples from later writings). Perhaps also it served simply to express friendship in Luke 1:3 (as in Theophrastus, char. 5; Dionysius Halicarnassus, de oratt. 1; Josephus, Antiquities 4, 6, 8), because in Acts 1:1 it is omitted in addressing the same person. Cf. Grimm in Jahrbb. f. deutsche Theol. for 1871, p. 50f.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
most excellent, noble.

Superlative of a derivative of kratos; strongest, i.e. (in dignity) very honorable -- most excellent (noble).

see GREEK kratos

Forms and Transliterations
κράτιστα κρατίστας κρατιστε κράτιστε κρατίστη κρατίστοις κράτιστον κρατιστω κρατίστω κρατίστῳ kratiste krátiste kratisto kratistō kratístoi kratístōi
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Luke 1:3 Adj-VMS
GRK: σοι γράψαι κράτιστε Θεόφιλε
NAS: [it] out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;
KJV: in order, most excellent Theophilus,
INT: to you to write most excellent Theophilus

Acts 23:26 Adj-DMS
GRK: Λυσίας τῷ κρατίστῳ ἡγεμόνι Φήλικι
NAS: Lysias, to the most excellent governor
KJV: Lysias unto the most excellent governor
INT: Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix

Acts 24:3 Adj-VMS
GRK: πανταχοῦ ἀποδεχόμεθα κράτιστε Φῆλιξ μετὰ
NAS: and everywhere, most excellent Felix,
KJV: in all places, most noble Felix,
INT: everywhere we gladly accept [it] most excellent Felix with

Acts 26:25 Adj-VMS
GRK: μαίνομαι φησίν κράτιστε Φῆστε ἀλλὰ
NAS: I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus,
KJV: not mad, most noble Festus; but
INT: I am insane says most noble Festus but

Strong's Greek 2903
4 Occurrences


κράτιστε — 3 Occ.
κρατίστῳ — 1 Occ.

















2902
Top of Page
Top of Page