What Does Revelation 19:16 Mean in the King James?
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The written name exposes his nature: every king and lord falls within the scope of his authority.
THE MEANING
His name is openly displayed on his vesture and thigh as a title of sovereignty. “King of kings” and “Lord of lords” place every other rank within the reach of his rule.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that the highest authority is just one more ruler among rulers: the title places every king and lord beneath him.
THE ROOT
ὄνομα
onoma
GROWS FROM
ὀνοματ-
onomat-
Name, designation, or title; here, the nature and authority disclosed by the title.
The Greek word names what is written, while the title itself reveals the nature of its bearer. What appears as a name is also a declaration of who he is: the ruler over every king and lord.
ALSO GROWS
onomazō: To name or call someone by name.
ὀνομάζω
The written title names him by the authority he bears.
onomastos: Named, known, or renowned.
ὀνομαστός
The title makes his identity known through the nature it names.
κύριος
kyrios
GROWS FROM
κυρι-
kyri-
Master or lord; one who holds authority.
This word family connects the title “Lord” with ruling and dominion. “Lord of lords” names authority that reaches every other lordship.
ALSO GROWS
kyrieuō: To exercise authority or rule over someone.
κυριεύω
The title names an authority that is active over every lesser lord.
kyriotēs: Lordship, dominion, or a ruling authority.
κυριότης
The plural title places every dominion within the scope of this one.
βασιλεύς
basileus
GROWS FROM
βασιλ-
basil-
King or ruler.
The Greek word family links the king with both the act of reigning and the reign itself. “King of kings” presents every ruler as existing within the reach of this rule.
ALSO GROWS
basileuō: To rule as king or reign.
βασιλεύω
The title points beyond rank to the act of ruling.
basileia: Reign, kingship, or the realm under a king.
βασιλεία
The phrase places every king and realm beneath the rule named here.
THE PATTERN
Scripture’s names disclose the character and authority carried by the one named.
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.THE THREAD
I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.John 17:6 uses the same Greek word, ὄνομα (onoma, “name”), and says the name is manifested through what is revealed about its bearer. Revelation 19:16 gives that name as a written title: the nature on display is authority over every ruler.
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