Lexical Summary (Not Used): (Not Used) (Not Used)Part of Speech: Transliteration: (Not Used) (Not Used) Topical Lexicon Linguistic BackgroundStrong’s Greek 3247 represents a verbal form that, while preserved in ancient lexicons, never appears in the extant text of the Greek New Testament. Its cognate family survives in Classical and Koine Greek literature and in certain Septuagint passages, where it conveys the idea of deliberately shaping or fashioning something so that it is ready for service. The root therefore belongs to the semantic field of “preparing, equipping, fitting out,” with an emphasis on the intentional, skillful work required to make an object—or a person—suited to a given purpose. Old Testament Foundations The Old Testament repeatedly depicts the Lord as the One who prepares: • vessels for sacred use in the tabernacle (Exodus 35–40) The Septuagint occasionally employs cognates of 3247 for craftsmen “preparing” temple furnishings (for example, 1 Chronicles 29:2) or for the Lord “preparing” a path of judgment or blessing (Psalm 9:8, LXX numbering). In each case the context highlights purposeful action directed toward a future function. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty in Preparation Scripture consistently presents God as the Master Artisan who brings order out of chaos and equips all creation for His redemptive plan (Genesis 1; Isaiah 45:18). Whether He prepares a prophet (Jeremiah 1:5), a king (1 Samuel 16:1–13), or the fullness of time for His Son’s incarnation (Galatians 4:4), the underlying principle is the same: purposeful, forward-looking preparation grounded in covenant faithfulness. 2. Human Responsiveness While the primary agent is God, His people participate responsibly. Ezra “set his heart to study the Law of the Lord and to practice it” (Ezra 7:10), modeling the kind of self-preparation that corresponds to God’s work. New Testament exhortations to readiness—“Make every effort to present yourselves approved to God” (2 Timothy 2:15); “equip the saints for works of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12)—stand in this same tradition, even though the exact verb numbered 3247 is absent. 3. Eschatological Expectation Biblical preparation ultimately points to the return of Christ. John the Baptist’s ministry combined Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1 to announce “Prepare the way for the Lord” (Matthew 3:3). Jesus builds on that motif when He tells His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). God’s preparatory work anticipates the consummation when a people “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2) will dwell with Him forever. Christological Fulfillment The life and work of Jesus Christ perfectly embody the concept behind 3247: • In His incarnation the Father prepared a body for the Son (Hebrews 10:5). Ministry Applications 1. Discipleship and Training Churches are charged to prepare believers for effective service (Ephesians 4:11–16). This includes doctrinal instruction, character formation, and the cultivation of spiritual gifts. 2. Worship Planning Just as Old Testament priests prepared offerings, contemporary worship leaders should pursue thoughtful, reverent planning that points congregations toward the glory of God. 3. Mission Strategy Paul’s itinerant labors show deliberate preparation—selecting teams, gathering resources, praying for open doors (Romans 15:20–24). Modern missions benefit from the same intentionality. 4. Personal Readiness Believers are urged to be “prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks” (1 Peter 3:15) and to live in constant expectancy of Christ’s return (Matthew 24:44). Related Concepts • 2680 κατασκευάζω (kataskeuazō) – to construct, furnish Further Study For deeper insight, compare passages that stress divine or human preparation: Exodus 19:10–11; Psalm 57:7; Proverbs 16:1; Isaiah 62:10; Luke 1:17; Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:21; Revelation 19:7. Although Strong’s Greek 3247 itself does not occur in the New Testament text, its conceptual thread—purposeful, divinely guided preparation—runs from Genesis to Revelation, urging every believer to live a life ready for holy service and the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance μελῶν — 2 Occ.μέλος — 5 Occ. Μελχὶ — 2 Occ. Μελχισεδέκ — 8 Occ. ἔμελεν — 2 Occ. μέλει — 7 Occ. μελέτω — 1 Occ. μεμβράνας — 1 Occ. μέμφεται — 1 Occ. μεμφόμενος — 1 Occ. μὲν — 182 Occ. Μενοῦν — 1 Occ. μενοῦνγε — 2 Occ. μέντοι — 8 Occ. ἐμείναμεν — 2 Occ. ἔμειναν — 2 Occ. ἔμεινεν — 10 Occ. ἔμενεν — 3 Occ. ἔμενον — 1 Occ. μεῖναι — 6 Occ. |
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