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Exousia (ἐξουσία) is a Greek word used the the bible the exact meaning of which debated by scholars but is generally translated as "authority". Paul says that a woman should have exousia "on [or perhaps 'over'] her head", but the meaning of the passage is not clear.

Etymology
According to William Edwin Vine's Vine's Expository Dictionary, exousia means "authority". The word derives from the verb exesti for "it is lawful"

Biblical usage
It is used for the authority of Christ to forgive sins, and Paul invokes it in 2 Corinthians for his own apostolic authority: "For though I should boast - somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction." In other contexts it is used for Christ claiming that "all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth", or similarly "power over all flesh" , and in The Book of Revelations in reference to the ten kings represented by the horns of the Beast that they "shall give their power and strength unto the beast".

The Book of John uses the term also in the context of Pilate's judicial power "I have the power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee", and also in Christ's response "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin". It's used similarly in Luke: "And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say".