Original Word: κεφάλαιον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: kephalaion
Pronunciation: kef-AL-ah-yon
Phonetic Spelling: (kef-al'-ah-yon)
KJV: sum
NASB: main point, sum of money
Word Origin: [neuter of a derivative of G2776 (κεφαλή - head)]

1. a principal thing, i.e. main point
2. (specially) an amount (of money)

sum.

Neuter of a derivative of kephale; a principal thing, i.e. Main point; specially, an amount (of money) -- sum.

see GREEK kephale

Word Origin
from kephalé
Definition
of the head, the main point
NASB Translation
main point (1), sum of money (1).

STRONGS NT 2774: κεφάλαιον

κεφάλαιον, κεφαλαίου, τό (neuter of the adjective κεφάλαιος, belonging to the entry);

1. the chief or main point, the principal thing (Vulg.capitulum): Hebrews 8:1 (cf. Buttmann, 154 (134)); (frequent so in Greek writings from Pindar, Thucydides and Plato down).

2. "the pecuniary sum total of a reckoning, amount (Plutarch, Fab. 4); the principal, capital," as distinguished from the interest (Plato, legg. 5, 742 c.); universally, a sum of money, sum (Vulg.summa): Acts 22:28; so Leviticus 6:5; Numbers 5:7; Numbers 31:26; Josephus, Antiquities 12, 2, 3; Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 1, 17; see other examples in Kypke, Observations, ii., p. 116; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, 5 b.).

Semantic Range and Conceptual Image

Kephalaion draws upon the imagery of the “head” as that which gathers, governs, or totals all that follows. In discourse it signals the decisive summary; in commerce it speaks of the whole amount laid down. Both ideas convey a single principle: what is foremost and determinative.

Occurrences in Scripture

Hebrews 8:1 employs the term rhetorically: “Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven”.

Acts 22:28 uses the word financially: “The commander replied, ‘I paid a large sum for my citizenship.’ ‘But I was born a citizen,’ Paul answered”.

Theological Significance in Hebrews 8:1

1. Christ as the Climax of Revelation. The writer compresses seven chapters of priestly argument into one kephalaion: Jesus Christ enthroned at the right hand of God. The term insists that every thread of Old Covenant worship converges in the exalted High Priest.
2. Unity of Doctrine. By placing the word at the outset of a major section, the author models a disciplined, orderly theology in which subsidiary truths never eclipse the governing theme—Christ’s superior ministry and covenant.
3. Hermeneutical Guidance. Believers are reminded that the gospel is not a collection of detached teachings; it is a coherent whole whose essence can be stated plainly. Pastors and teachers are exhorted to pursue the same clarity.

Historical Insight from Acts 22:28

1. Roman Citizenship Market. A tribune’s “large sum” points to the edict of Emperor Claudius allowing freedmen to purchase citizenship, often costing up to a year’s salary for an officer. Luke’s record authenticates the sociopolitical backdrop of Paul’s ministry and the legitimacy of his legal appeal.
2. Social Contrast and Gospel Mission. The juxtaposition of a bought status with Paul’s birthright underlines God’s sovereignty in placing His servant where Roman protection would further the gospel (compare Acts 23:11).
3. Ethical Implication. The mention of a monetary kephalaion warns against treating earthly standing as ultimate capital when heavenly citizenship is granted freely in Christ (Philippians 3:20).

Old Testament Background and Continuity

While kephalaion itself does not appear in the Septuagint, the concept of summation echoes passages such as Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments.” The New Testament usage crowns that principle by centering the “conclusion” in the person of Jesus Christ.

Christological Focus

The word lifts Christ above every shadow and substitute. By calling Him the kephalaion, Scripture testifies that:
• He is the fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17).
• He is the head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:18), an idea linguistically related to the root.
• He is the sum of all spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3).

Doctrinal Implications

1. Sufficiency of Christ’s High-Priestly Work. Believers need no supplemental mediators.
2. Integrity of Scripture. The cohesive use of the term across genres—epistolary theology and narrative history—illustrates the harmony of biblical revelation.
3. Stewardship. Earthly resources, however costly, are secondary to the ultimate “capital” found in redemption (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Preaching: Structure sermons so that the congregation hears the kephalaion—Christ crucified, risen, and reigning—regardless of text or topic.
• Counseling: Redirect troubled hearts to the central truth that Christ is sufficient, the definitive answer to fragmented lives.
• Missions: Paul’s citizenship episode encourages creative use of lawful advantages for gospel advance without placing confidence in them.

Devotional Reflection

Meditate on Hebrews 8:1 until the exalted, seated High Priest becomes the governing thought of the day. Then review life’s “large sums”—talents, time, treasure—asking whether they serve the true kephalaion, Jesus Christ.

Κεφαλαιον Κεφάλαιον κεφαλαιου κεφαλαίου Kephalaion Kephálaion kephalaiou kephalaíouInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts