### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term κεφάλαιον (kephálaion, `{{G2774}}`) is a neuter noun derived from κεφαλή (kephalē, `{{G2776}}`), meaning "head." This etymological root informs its dual semantic range. Primarily, it denotes a "principal thing" or "main point"—that which is chief, preeminent, or the sum and substance of an argument or discourse. It encapsulates the core idea or the culminating essence of a matter. Secondly, in a more concrete sense, it refers to a "sum" or "total amount," particularly in financial contexts, representing the aggregate of money or a capital sum. Both senses carry the implication of completeness or ultimate significance, whether as the definitive statement or the full measure of something.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word κεφάλαιον appears twice in the New Testament, each instance illustrating one of its primary semantic applications.
1. **Acts 22:28**: "And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom." Here, κεφάλαιον clearly signifies a "sum of money." The Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias, states that he acquired his Roman citizenship for a substantial financial outlay. This contrasts with Paul's inherited citizenship, highlighting the value and privilege associated with Roman identity in the ancient world. The context is purely transactional and financial, illustrating the "sum" aspect of the word's meaning.
2. **Hebrews 8:1**: "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is seated on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens." In this crucial verse, κεφάλαιον functions as "the main point" or "the chief thing" of the author's preceding discourse. It serves as a climactic summary, not merely a reiteration, but the fundamental truth upon which the entire argument about Christ's superior priesthood rests. The author is not simply summarizing previous points, but declaring the *essence* and *culmination* of his theological exposition: the reality of Christ's heavenly, exalted, and effective high priesthood. This usage underscores the "principal thing" or "chief point" aspect of the word.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of κεφάλαιον connects it to several other significant biblical terms:
* **κεφαλή (kephalē, `{{G2776}}`)**: The direct root, meaning "head," often used metaphorically for authority, origin, or preeminence (e.g., Christ as the head of the church). κεφάλαιον inherits this sense of "chief" or "principal."
* **ἀρχή (archē, `{{G746}}`)**: Meaning "beginning," "rule," or "principle." Like κεφάλαιον, it can refer to the foundational or primary aspect of something.
* **πρωτεύω (prōteuō, `{{G4409}}`)**: "To be first," "to have preeminence." This verb captures the essence of being the "principal thing" that κεφάλαιον denotes in its more abstract sense.
* **πᾶς (pas, `{{G3956}}`)**: "All," "every," "whole." While distinct, the idea of a "sum" or "total" in κεφάλαιον (as in Acts 22:28) implies a comprehensive aggregation, linking it conceptually to words denoting totality.
* **τέλος (telos, `{{G5056}}`)**: "End," "goal," "completion." In the sense of the "main point" (Hebrews 8:1), κεφάλαιον can signify the ultimate purpose or culminating truth of an argument, aligning with the idea of a telos.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of κεφάλαιον is most profoundly felt in Hebrews 8:1. Here, it is not a casual summary but a declaration of the *ultimate theological reality* concerning Christ. The author of Hebrews uses it to mark the transition from a detailed exposition of Christ's superiority to the Levitical priesthood to the grand revelation of His current ministry in the heavenly sanctuary.
This "main point" establishes the *supremacy* and *finality* of Christ's high priestly work. It underscores that His ministry is not merely a better version of the old covenant's priesthood, but an entirely new, heavenly, and definitive reality. The high priest is not on earth, but "seated on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" [[Hebrews 8:1]]. This divine enthronement signifies His completed work, His unique authority, and the eternal efficacy of His sacrifice and intercession. The κεφάλαιον of the Christian faith, therefore, is the exalted Christ, who mediates a New Covenant based on better promises [[Hebrews 8:6]]. It is the linchpin of the argument for the obsolescence of the old covenant and the inauguration of the new.
### Summary
κεφάλαιον (kephálaion, `{{G2774}}`) is a significant Greek term derived from the word for "head," carrying two primary meanings: a "principal thing" or "main point," and a "sum" or "total amount." In the New Testament, Acts 22:28 exemplifies its use as a financial "sum," while its appearance in Hebrews 8:1 is profoundly theological, denoting the "main point" or "climax" of the author's argument. In Hebrews, it highlights the supreme and ultimate truth of Christ's heavenly high priesthood, emphasizing His exalted status and the definitive nature of the New Covenant. Thus, κεφάλαιον serves to underscore what is central, essential, and climactic, whether in a financial transaction or, more importantly, in the unfolding of divine truth.
TRV