primarily an adjective signifying "originating, beginning," is used as a noun, denoting "a founder, author, prince or leader," Acts 3:15 , "Prince" (marg., "Author"); Acts 5:31; see AUTHOR , No. 2.
the present participle of the verb archo, "to rule;" denotes "a ruler, a prince." It is used as follows ("p" denoting "prince," or "princes;" "r," "ruler" or "rulers"): (a) of Christ, as "the Ruler (AV, Prince) of the kings of the earth," Revelation 1:5; (b) of rulers of nations, Matthew 20:25 , RV, "r," AV, "p;" Acts 4:26 , "r;" Acts 7:27 , "r;" Acts 7:35 , "r" (twice); (c) of judges and magistrates, Acts 16:19 , "r;" Romans 13:3 , "r;" (d) of members of the Sanhedrin, Luke 14:1 , RV, "r" (AV, "chief"); Luke 23:13,35 , "r;" so Luke 24:20; John 3:1; 7:26,48; 12:42 , RV, "r" (AV, "chief r."); "r" in Acts 3:17; 4:5,8; 13:27; 14:5; (e) of rulers of synagogues, Matthew 9:18,23 , "r;" so Luke 8:41; 18:18; (f) of the Devil, as "prince" of this world, John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2 , "the air" being that sphere in which the inhabitants of the world live and which, through the rebellious and godless condition of humanity, constitutes the seat of his authority; (g) of Beelzebub, the "prince" of the demons, Matthew 9:24; 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15 . See CHIEF , B, No. 10.
"a leader, ruler," is translated "princes" (i.e., leaders) in Matthew 2:6 : see GOVERNOR , A, No. 1.
Note: For megistan, Revelation 6:15; 18:23 , RV, "princes," see LORD , No. 3.