Greek word · G2942

κυβερνήτης

kybernētēs

captain

Helmsman, steersman, pilot: the officer who worked the steering oars and navigated. By extension, a guide or governor (the Greek verb kybernaō, "to steer," is the root of Latin gubernare and English "govern").

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

κυβερνήτης, -ου, ὁ

(see: κυβέρνησις), [in LXX for חֹבֵל, Ezekiel 27:8, Proverbs 23:24, 4Ma.7:1 * ;]

1. a steersman, pilot: Acts 27:11, Revelation 18:17.

2. Metaphorical, a guide, governor (Eur., Plat.).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Revelation 18:17

Range of meaning

Helmsman, steersman, pilot: the officer who worked the steering oars and navigated. By extension, a guide or governor (the Greek verb kybernaō, "to steer," is the root of Latin gubernare and English "govern").

Against the English

KJV/WEB "shipmaster" and NIV "sea captain" point to the man in charge, which is roughly right. But on ancient merchant ships the kybernētēs was often a hired professional pilot, separate from the shipowner (nauklēros) and from the merchants whose cargo was aboard.

How it drifted

"Captain" suggests the owner and commander of the ship. In the ancient trade system, command of navigation, ownership of the ship and ownership of the cargo were often held by different people.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Acts 27:11 the centurion listens to "the pilot (kybernētēs) and the shipowner (nauklēros)" rather than to Paul, which shows the two roles were distinct. LXX Ezekiel 27 (vv. 8, 27–28) lists Tyre's pilots among those who wail over her fall. The "ship of state" image, with the ruler as helmsman, was common in Greek literature.

Similar words

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 27:11 κυβερνήτῃ pilot

    But contrary to Paul’s advice, the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and by the owner of the ship.

Revelation · 1

  1. Revelation 18:17 κυβερνήτης shipmaster

    For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance

    Here: The man at the steering oar who navigated the ship and was in charge of its course. He was the senior seaman aboard, though often not the ship's owner.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.