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Theocracy: meaning, definitions and examples

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theocracy

 

[ θiːˈɒkrəsi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

government type

Theocracy is a system of government in which priests or religious leaders govern in the name of a deity. In a theocratic system, the political leaders are typically believed to be divinely guided, or to be representatives of the deity they serve. This form of governance combines both religious and political authority, often leading to a lack of separation between church and state.

Synonyms

divine rule, ecclesiocracy, religious government

Examples of usage

  • Iran is often cited as a contemporary example of a theocracy.
  • In a theocracy, laws are often based on religious doctrines.
  • The theocracy in ancient Israel was led by prophets and judges.

Translations

Translations of the word "theocracy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 teocracia

🇮🇳 ईश्वर राज्य

🇩🇪 Theokratie

🇮🇩 teokrasi

🇺🇦 теократія

🇵🇱 teokracja

🇯🇵 神権政治

🇫🇷 théocratie

🇪🇸 teocracia

🇹🇷 teokrasi

🇰🇷 신정

🇸🇦 ثيوقراطية

🇨🇿 teokracie

🇸🇰 teokracia

🇨🇳 神权政治

🇸🇮 teokracija

🇮🇸 guðræði

🇰🇿 теократия

🇬🇪 თეოკრატიაც

🇦🇿 teokratiya

🇲🇽 teocracia

Etymology

The term 'theocracy' is derived from the Greek words 'theos,' meaning 'god,' and 'kratos,' meaning 'power' or 'rule.' The concept has ancient roots, with early examples observed in civilizations such as ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, where political leaders often claimed divine status or were considered intermediaries between the gods and the people. Theocratic systems were common in various ancient cultures, and the term itself appears in historical texts to describe such governance. Over time, theocracy has been used to refer to modern political systems where religious leaders wield significant authority, exemplifying the enduring influence of religious belief in political matters.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,001, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.