Quick Definition
a steward, guardian
Strong's Definition
a commissioner, i.e. domestic manager, guardian
Derivation: from G1909 (ἐπί) and G5158 (τρόπος) (in the sense of G2011 (ἐπιτροπή));
KJV Usage: steward, tutor
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐπίτροπος, ἐπιτρόπου, ὁ (ἐπιτρέπω), universally, one to whose care or honor anything has been intrusted; a curator, guardian, (Pindar Ol. 1, 171, et al.; Philo de mundo § 7 ὁ Θεός καί πατήρ καί τεχνίτης καί ἐπίτροπος τῶν ἐν οὐρανῷ τέ καί ἐν κόσμῳ). Specifically,
1. a steward or manager of a household, or of lands; an overseer: Mat_20:8; Luk_8:3; Xenophon, oec. 12, 2; 21, 9; (Aristotle, oec. 1, 5 (p. 1344a, 26) δούλων δέ εἴδη δύω, ἐπίτροπος καί ἐργάτης).
2. one who has the care and tutelage of children, either where the father is dead (a guardian of minors: 2Ma_11:1 2Ma_13:2; ἐπίτροπος ὀρθανων, Plato, legg. 6, p. 766 c.; Plutarch, Lyc. 3; Cam. 15), or where the father still lives (Aelian v. h. 3, 26): Gal_4:2.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐπίτροπος epitropos 3x
one to whose charge or control a thing is left; a steward, bailiff, agent, manager, Mat_20:8 ;
steward or overseer of the revenue, treasurer, Luk_8:3 ;
a guardian of children, Gal_4:2
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
** ἐπίτροπος , -ου , ὁ
( < ἐπιτρέπω ),
[in LXX : 2Ma_11:1 ; 2Ma_13:2 ; 2Ma_14:2 * ;]
1. an administrator, a steward: Mat_20:3 , Luk_8:3 .
2. a guardian ( c . gen . pers ., 2Mac, ll . c .): Gal_4:2 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐπίτροπος [page 249]
ἐπίτροπος is very common in connexion with the guardianship of minors (cf. Gal_4:2 ), e.g. P Ryl II. 109 .18 (A.D. 235) Α (ὐρήλιος ) Ἑρμόδ [ωρ ]ος . . ἐπίτροπ (ος ) τῶν ἀφηλ (ίκων ) . . . ὤμοσα ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν , I, Aurelius Hermodorus, guardian of the minors, have taken the oath on their behalf, ib. 121 .15 (ii/A.D.) ἀξιῶ . . . [ἐ ]πίτροπον αὐτᾦ καταστα [θῆ ]ναι , and a Will, ib. 153 .18 (A.D. 138 61) οὗ καὶ καθίστημι ἐπιτρόπους [ἄχ ]ρ̣ι̣ ο̣ὗ̣ γένη̣ [ται τῆ ]ς ἐννό [μο ]υ̣ [ἡ ]λικίας . Preisigke Fachwφrter , p. 93) has classified the uses of the word in connexion with the office of procurator : cf. Magie, p. 162 f., and Rouffiac Recherches , p. 46, where we are reminded of the Imperial procurator at Priene ὁ τῶν κυρίων ἐπίτροπος ( Priene 230 .5 -A.D. 196 212). The agreement with Mat_20:8 λέγει ὁ κύριος . . . τῷ ἐπιτροπῳ αὐτοῦ is of course, as Rouffiac remarks, purely verbal.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ἐπίτροπος ἐπίτροπος, ον [Etym: ἐπιτρέπω] "one to whom a charge is entrusted, a trustee, administrator", Hdt. : "a governor, viceroy", id=Hdt. , Dem. "a guardian", Hdt. , Thuc.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ἐπίτροπος, -ου, ὁ
(ἐπιτρέπω), [in LXX: 2Ma.11:1 2Mac 13:2 2Mac 14:2 * ;]
__1. an administrator, a steward: Mat.20:3, Luk.8:3.
__2. a guardian (with genitive of person(s), 2Mac, ll. with): Gal.4:2.†
(AS)