Guide

Communal Organization and Leadership: The Archisynagōgos

1st–2nd Centuries
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The figure of the archisynagōgos is known from a number of ancient sources, including Roman-period inscriptions, the New Testament, rabbinic sources, and Roman legal texts. In the land of Israel, the responsibilities of the archisynagōgos included arranging the service in the synagogue and supervision of community affairs. Outside the land of Israel, the archisynagōgos collected charity funds to send to Jews living in the land of Israel.

Perhaps the earliest witnesses, New Testament sources testify to specific individuals holding this leadership position. In Mark 5, Jesus encounters the leader of a synagogue who pleads that Jesus heal his daughter, which he does. In Luke 13, the archisynagōgos objects to Jesus’ healing of a woman who has been suffering for eighteen years. Acts 18 recounts that the leader of the synagogue in Corinth, along with his household and others, becomes a believer in Jesus upon hearing Paul teach. The figure of the archisynagōgos is mentioned in other New Testament texts as well, including Luke 8 and Acts 13.

Related Primary Sources

Primary Source

Jesus Revives the Archisynagōgos’s Daughter

Mark 5:21–24, 35–43
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When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue [archisynagōgōn] named Jairus came…

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An Archisynagōgos Berates Jesus

Luke 13:10–17
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Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to…

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Archisynagōgos Crispus of Corinth’s Conversion to Christianity

Acts 18:8
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Text
Crispus, the official of the synagogue [archisynagōgos], became a believer in the Lord, together with all his household; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul became believers and were baptized.…

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Latin Inscription on Marble Plaque from Ostia, Italy

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For Plotius Fortunatus the archisynagogos. Plotius Ampliatus, Secundinus [and] Secunda made [the monument] . . . , and Ofilia Basilia for her well-deserving husband. Source:…

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Greek Inscriptions from Rome

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Here lies Euphrasis, archisynagogos, who lived a good life (?). Here lies Poly . . . nis, archisynagogos of the synagogue of the Vernaclians, aged 53. In peace his sleep.…

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Greek Inscriptions from Rome

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Here lies Pomponius, the twice archon of the Calcaresian synagogue. He lived 60 years. In peace his sleep. Source: JIWE 2.165 Here lies Proclus, arc…

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Greek Inscription on Marble Tablet from Smyrna, Asia Minor

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Rufina, a Jewess, head of the synagogue [archisynagōgos], built this tomb for her freed slaves and the slaves raised in her house. No one else has the right to bury anyone (here). If someone should…

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Latin Inscription from Rome

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To the well-deserving Stafylus, archon and archisynagogus, who held all the honours. Restituta his wife made (the monument). In peace your sleep. Source: CIJ 1.265

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Latin Inscription on Marble Tablet from Capua, Italy

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Publius (?) Alfius Juda the archon (and) archisynagogos, who lived 70 years 7 months 10 days. Alfia Soteris, with whom he lived 48 years, made (the monument) for her incomparable, well-deserving…

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Greek Inscriptions from Beth Shearim, Lower Galilee

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Of Joses, archisynagogos of Sidon. Source: IJO 3.Syr18 Here lies Eusebius, the most honourable archisynagogos of the Beirutians.…

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Greek Inscription on Lintel from Sepphoris, Central Galilee

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In the time(?) of Gelasius(?), scholasticus, most illustrious comes, son of Aetius the comes, of Judah the archisynagogos, (and) of Sidonius the archisynagogos—these enclosures(?) on behalf of Ianus…

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Greek Inscription on Marble Plaque from Crete

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Sophia of Gortyn, presbytera and archisynagogissa of Kissamus, (lies) here. The memory of the righteous woman (be) forever. Amen. Source: IJO 1.Cre3

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Greek Inscription on Marble Pillar from Myndos, Asia Minor

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[From Th]eopempte, head of the synagogue [archisyn(agōgos/gōgissa)—Ed.], and her son Eusebios. Source: IJO 2.25

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Greek Funerary Inscriptions from Venosa, Italy

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Tomb. Joseph, archisynagogos, son of Joseph, archisynagogos. Peace upon his resting-place. Source: JIWE 1.70 / CIJ 1.584 Tomb of Kallistos, child,…

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The Rosh Knesset in the Torah Service

m. Yoma 7:1

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The high priest [then] came to read. If he wished to read in linen garments, he read, and if not, he read in his own white cloak. The synagogue attendant [ḥazzan ha-knesset] would take a Torah scroll…

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Marrying the Daughter of the Rosh Knesset

b. Pesaḥim 49b

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The sages taught: A person should always [be willing to] sell all he has [in order to] marry the daughter of a Torah scholar. [If] he cannot find the daughter of a Torah scholar, he should marry the…

Related Guide

Early Jewish Communal Organization and Leadership

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