Figure in biblical text inspired by head, powerful leader (9)

I believe the answer is:

potentate

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'figure in biblical text inspired by head' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'powerful leader' is the wordplay.
'powerful' becomes 'potent' (synonyms).
'leader' becomes 'ate' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'potent'+'ate'='POTENTATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for potentate that I've seen before include "Mogul" , "Powerful autocratic ruler" , "A monarch or ruler" , "authority" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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