There are sixteen different Hebrew words so translated. The principal are
1. nasi , 'one raised up'; this is translated also 'ruler, governor, captain, and chief.' It is applied to 'the princes of the congregation': these would be the heads of families in the various tribes. Joshua 9:15-21 .
2. sar , 'to bear rule,' hence applied to the head men in the tribes, 'chief of the fathers'; and to the satraps in the Persian empire. Esther 1:3-21 . In Daniel these same are called achashdarpenayya , 'chief governors.' Daniel 3:2,3,27; Daniel 6:1-7 . Princess is sarah. 1 Kings 11 : 3; Lamentations 1:1 . The word sar is also employed for the Prince of peace in Isaiah 9:6 , and for Michael the archangel, and for the prince of Persia who opposed him, and for the prince of Grecia. Daniel 10:13-21 .