despotēs (master)

Meaning

Usually translated “masters”, “master” and “lord”. Open the dictionary entry below for the full range of meaning, with the verses it cites.

How it's translated

masters 3
master 3
lord 2
sovereign lord 1
to masters 1

Word-by-word English from the STEPBible tagged text.

Where it's used most

1 Timothy 2
Luke 1
Acts 1
2 Timothy 1
Titus 1
1 Peter 1

9 books in all.

Related words

Explore in Scripture

1 Timothy 6:2In contextAnd they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
Titus 2:9In contextExhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
2 Peter 2:1In contextBut there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Jude 1:4In contextFor there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 2:29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Acts 4:24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

All 10 verses, by book

Luke 1: 2:29
Acts 1: 4:24
1 Timothy 2: 6:1 6:2
2 Timothy 1: 2:21
Titus 1: 2:9
1 Peter 1: 2:18
2 Peter 1: 2:1
Jude 1: 1:4
Revelation 1: 6:10

Greek dictionary

δεσπότης despotēs · master

δεσπότης, -ου, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for אָדוֹן, אֲדֹנָי; in Jdth.9:17, δ. τ. οὐρανῶν κ. τ. γῆς]; a master, lord, correlative of δοῦλος, οἰκέτης: 1Ti.6:1, 2, 2Ti.2:21, Tit.2:9, 1Pe.2:18; as title of God, voc., δέσποτα (so usually in LXX), Luk.2:29, Act.4:24; ὁ δ. = voc. δέσποτα (cf. B1., § 33, 4), Rev.6:10; of Christ, 2Pe.2:1, Ju 4, R, txt. (but cf. mg.).† SYN.: κύριος (which see), implying limitation of authority and a more general relation than δ., which "denoted absolute ownership and uncontrolled power" (Thayer). (AS)

From STEPBible’s Greek lexicon (based on Abbott-Smith).

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

How the English word “master” was understood when the King James Version was still the common Bible of English readers.

M'ASTER, noun

[Latin magister, compounded of the root of magis, major, greater.]

A man who rules, governs or directs either men or business.
A director, head, or chief manager; as the master of a feast.
The owner; proprietor; with the idea of governing.
A lord; a ruler; one who has supreme dominion.

All definitions and other forms of “master”

A chief; a principal; as the master root of a plant.
One who has possession, and the power of controlling or using at pleasure.
The commander of a merchant ship.
In ships of war, an officer who takes rank immediately after the lieutenants, and navigates the ship under the direction of the captain.
The director of a school; a teacher; an instructor.
One uncontrolled.
An appellation of respect.
An appellation given to young men.
A man eminently or perfectly skilled in any occupation, art or science.
A title of dignity in colleges and universities; as master of Arts.
The chief of a society; as the Grand master of Malta, of free-masons, etc.
The director of ceremonies at public places, or on public occasions.
The president of a college.

M'ASTER, verb intransitive

To conquer; to overpower; to subdue; to bring under control.

To execute with skill.
To rule; to govern.

M'ASTER, verb intransitive

To be skillful; to excel.

Noah Webster, An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). Verse references are checked against the KJV. Read the full entry.