Lexical Summary emprosthen: Before, in front of, in the presence of Original Word: ἔμπροσθεν Strong's Exhaustive Concordance against, before, in presence of, in sight of. From en and pros; in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time) -- against, at, before, (in presence, sight) of. see GREEK en see GREEK pros NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and pros Definition before, in front of (in place or time) NASB Translation ahead (5), before (28), front (4), higher rank (2), presence (4), sight (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1715: ἔμπροσθενἔμπροσθεν (Tdf. in Revelation 4:6 ἐνπροσθεν (see ἐν, III. 3; cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) 8)), adverb of place and of time (from ἐν and πρόσθεν, properly, in the fore part); (from Herodotus down); the Sept. chiefly for לִפְנֵי; before. In the N. T. used only of place; 1. adverbially, in front, before: Revelation 4:6 (opposed to ὄπισθεν, as in Palaeph. 29, 2). before: πορεύεσθαι, to precede, to go before, Luke 19:28; προδραμών ἔμπροσθεν, Luke 19:4 (T WH εἰς τό ἔμπροσθεν, cf. Herodotus 4, 61 (8, 89)), like προπορεύεσθαι ἔμπροσθεν, Xenophon, Cyril 4, 2, 23 (figuratively, Plato, Gorgias, p. 497 a. προιθι εἰς τό ἔμπροσθεν); τά ἔμπροσθεν the things which lie before one advancing, the goal set before one, Philippians 3:13 (14) (opposed to τά ὀπίσω). 2. it serves as a preposition, with the genitive (Buttmann, 319 (274); Winers Grammar, § 54, 6); a. before, i. e. in that local region which is in front of a person or a thing: Matthew 5:24; Matthew 7:6; Luke 5:19; Luke 14:2; to prostrate oneself ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ποδῶν τίνος, Revelation 19:10; Revelation 22:8; γονυπέτειν ἔμπροσθεν τίνος, Matthew 27:29; πορεύεσθαι ἔμπροσθεν τίνος, to go before one, John 10:4; ἀποστέλλεσθαι ἔμπροσθεν τίνος, to be sent before one, John 3:28; σαλπίζειν ἔμπροσθεν τίνος, Matthew 6:2; τήν ὁδόν κατασκευάσαι, where ἔμπροσθεν τίνος is nearly equivalent to a dative (cf. Buttmann, 172 (150)), Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2 Rec.; Luke 7:27. b. before, in the presence of, equivalent to opposite to, over against one: στῆναι, Matthew 27:11; ὁμολογεῖν and ἀρνεῖσθαι (Buttmann, 176 (153)), Matthew 10:32; Matthew 26:70; Luke 12:8,(9 Lachmann); also Galatians 2:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:9, 13; before one, i. e. at his tribunal: Matthew 25:32; Matthew 27:11; Luke 21:36; Acts 18:17; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; (1 John 3:19). Here belong the expressions εὐδοκία, θέλημα ἐστι ἔμπροσθεν Θεοῦ, it is the good pleasure, the will of God, Matthew 11:26; Matthew 18:14; Luke 10:21, formed after Chaldean usage; for in 1 Samuel 12:22 the words יְהוָה הואִיל, God wills, Jonathan the targumist renders יְהוָה קֲדָם רַעֲוָא; cf. Fischer, De vitiis lexamples N. T. etc., p. 329f; (cf. Buttmann, 172 (150)). o. before i. e. in the sight of one: Matthew 5:16; Matthew 6:1; Matthew 17:2; Matthew 23:13 ( d. before, denoting rank: γεγονέναι ἔμπροσθεν τίνος, to have obtained greater dignity than another, John 1:15, 30, also ἔμπροσθεν spans the spectrum of standing “before” someone or something—physically, publicly, or eschatologically. Across forty-eight New Testament appearances the term consistently accents visibility, accountability, and relationship, moving from the earthly ministry of Jesus to the climactic scenes of Revelation. Divine Presence and Worship 1. In worship settings ἔμπροσθεν draws attention to God’s throne. Revelation 4:6 pictures “a sea of glass, like crystal, before the throne,” underscoring the majesty that surrounds the Almighty. Public Testimony and Confession 1. Confessing or denying Christ happens ἔμπροσθεν both men and God (Matthew 10:32-33; Luke 12:8). Acknowledging Jesus publicly is inseparable from being owned by Him before the Father. Humility before God 1. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus warns against ostentatious piety “in front of others” (Matthew 6:1-2). Acts of righteousness lose their reward when performed merely ἔμπροσθεν men. Eschatological and Judicial Scenes 1. Final assessment is conducted “before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Life’s deeds come into full view in His court. Christ’s Preeminence 1. John’s Gospel layers temporal and ontological priority: “He existed before me” (John 1:15). ἔμπροσθεν here goes beyond spatial sequence to affirm eternal preexistence. Interpersonal Relations and Ministry 1. Reconciliation demands initiative: “leave your gift there before the altar” and first be reconciled (Matthew 5:24). Horizontal peace must precede formal worship. Old Testament Echoes Septuagint usage (e.g., “before the Lord,” Leviticus 1:3) forms a backdrop, reinforcing covenantal consciousness that life is lived coram Deo. The New Testament carries this motif forward, anchoring Christian ethics in God’s constant gaze. Early Church Life and Mission Acts 10:4 affirms Cornelius’ prayers and alms “have ascended as a memorial before God,” encouraging Gentile believers that their devotion is noticed. Acts 18:17 shows public opposition before the civic tribunal, reminding missionaries that gospel witness unfolds under human scrutiny but divine oversight. Practical Ministry Implications • Cultivate God-conscious living; every act occurs ἔμπροσθεν His throne. Conclusion ἔμπροσθεν threads through the New Testament as a theological compass directing believers to live transparently before God, testify courageously before people, and anticipate confidently the day when every knee will bow before the exalted Christ. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:16 PrepGRK: φῶς ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων NAS: shine before men KJV: so shine before men, that INT: light of you before men Matthew 5:24 Prep Matthew 6:1 Prep Matthew 6:2 Prep Matthew 7:6 Prep Matthew 10:32 Prep Matthew 10:32 Prep Matthew 10:33 Prep Matthew 10:33 Prep Matthew 11:10 Prep Matthew 11:26 Prep Matthew 17:2 Prep Matthew 18:14 Prep Matthew 23:13 Prep Matthew 25:32 Prep Matthew 26:70 Prep Matthew 27:11 Prep Matthew 27:29 Prep Mark 2:12 Prep Mark 9:2 Prep Luke 5:19 Prep Luke 7:27 Prep Luke 10:21 Prep Luke 12:8 Prep Luke 12:8 Prep |
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