Theocracy
noun /θiˈɒk.rə.si/ — A form of government in which God or divine law is held to be the supreme authority.
Definition
A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god. More broadly: any state whose ruling authority claims divine mandate or grounds its law in religious doctrine.
Beyond the definition
Theocracy is the most ambitious claim to power: not from the consent of the governed, not from historical right, but from divine authority. The claim cannot be questioned without questioning the divine — which is, of course, the point.
Origin & history
Greek: 'theos' (god) + 'kratos' (power). First used by the Jewish historian Josephus (1st century CE) to describe the constitution of the ancient Israelites under the Torah.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The state functioned as a theocracy: clerical interpretation of sacred law determined all governance.
Even secular states can contain theocratic elements — when religious doctrine shapes law.
The theocracy's stability depended on the same thing as all authority: the belief that it was legitimate.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Theocracy” when the meaning fits your context: A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god. More broadly: any state whose ruling authority claims divine mandate or grounds its law in religious doctrine.
Synonyms
religious government, priestly rule, divine rule
Antonyms
secular state, democracy, republic
Related words
Theocracy vs secularism
Theocracy functions by fusing divine law with state governance. Secularism explicitly keeps religious institutions separate from political authority.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Entering Ancient Forest Path
An adult stands at a forest entrance, one foot on a path and one in deep shadow.
The forest entrance acts as a sacred threshold, representing a system where ruling authority is derived from a divine or religious mandate, and all laws follow from that religious belief.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Theocracy" mean?
Theocracy is noun meaning: A form of government in which God or divine law is held to be the supreme authority.. A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god. More broadly: any state whose ruling authority claims divine mandate or grounds its law in religious doctrine.
Where does the word "Theocracy" come from?
Greek: 'theos' (god) + 'kratos' (power). First used by the Jewish historian Josephus (1st century CE) to describe the constitution of the ancient Israelites under the Torah.