κεφαλή
kephalē
head
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word κεφαλή (kephalē) is a term with a broad meaning, encompassing the concept of a "head." It appears 76 times in the Bible, demonstrating its significance and versatility in various contexts. In its most literal sense, κεφαλή refers to the physical head, as seen in passages describing the human body (e.g., Genesis 2:21). However, the word also extends to metaphorical uses, such as the head of a household (e.g., Matthew 10:25), the head of a church (e.g., 1 Corinthians 11:3), or the head of a state (e.g., Acts 4:26). This fluid usage highlights the importance of κεφαλή in ancient Greek culture, where the head was a symbol of authority, leadership, and power. The prominence of κεφαλή in the Bible underscores its value in understanding social hierarchies, family dynamics, and spiritual relationships. By examining the various contexts in which κεφαλή appears, readers can gain insight into the complex web of relationships and power structures that existed in ancient societies, shedding light on the cultural and historical background of the biblical text.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
76 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
His head was brought on a platter, and given to the young lady; and she brought it to her mother.
Matthew 5:36Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
Matthew 6:17But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face;
Matthew 8:20Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
Matthew 10:30but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Matthew 21:42Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes?’
Matthew 26:7a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table.
Matthew 27:29They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Matthew 27:30They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.
Matthew 27:37They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Matthew 27:39Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads,
Mark 6:24She went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.”
Mark 6:25She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”
Mark 6:27Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
Mark 6:28and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.
Mark 12:10Haven’t you even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner.
Mark 14:3While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard—very costly. She broke the jar, and poured it over his head.
Mark 15:19They struck his head with a reed, and spat on him, and bowing their knees, did homage to him.
Mark 15:29Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days,
Luke 7:38Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Luke 7:44Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.
Luke 7:46You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
Luke 9:58Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Luke 12:7But the very hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 20:17But he looked at them and said, “Then what is this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the chief cornerstone?’
Luke 21:18And not a hair of your head will perish.
Luke 21:28But when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”
John 13:9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
John 19:2The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown, and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple garment.
John 19:30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.
John 20:7and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.
John 20:12and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
Acts 4:11He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’
Acts 18:6When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!”
Acts 18:18Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers, and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow.
Acts 21:24Take them and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law.
Acts 27:34Therefore I beg you to take some food; for this is for your safety; for not a hair will perish from any of your heads.”
Romans 12:20Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
1 Corinthians 11:3But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
1 Corinthians 11:3But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
1 Corinthians 11:3But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
1 Corinthians 11:4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.
1 Corinthians 11:4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.
1 Corinthians 11:5But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved.
1 Corinthians 11:5But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved.
1 Corinthians 11:7For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man.
1 Corinthians 11:10For this cause the woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.
1 Corinthians 12:21The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”
Ephesians 1:22He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,
Ephesians 5:23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body.