Lexical Summary prin: before Original Word: πρίν Strong's Exhaustive Concordance before, ere. Adverb from pro; prior, sooner -- before (that), ere. see GREEK pro NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. adverb akin to pro Definition before NASB Translation before (13). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4250: πρίνπρίν ((according to Curtius, § 380 comparitive προιον, προιν, πρίν)), as in Greek writings from Homer down: 1. an adverb previously,formerly (cf. πάλαι, 1): 3Macc. 5:28 3Macc. 6:4, 31; but never so in the N. T. 2. with the force of a conjunction, before, before that: with an accusative and aorist infinitive of things past (cf. Winers Grammar, § 44, 6 at the end; Buttmann, § 142, 3); πρίν Ἀβραάμ γενέσθαι, before Abraham existed, came into being, John 8:58; also πρίν ἤ (cf. Meyer on Matthew 1:18), Matthew 1:18; (Acts 7:2); with an aorist infinitive haying the force of the Latin future perfect, of things future (cf. Winer's Grammar, 332 (311)): πρίν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι, before the cock shall have crowed, Matthew 26:34, 75; Mark 14:72; Luke 22:61; add, John 4:49; John 14:29; also πρίν ἤ, Mark 14:30; Acts 2:20 (where L T Tr WH text omit ἤ); πρίν ἤ, preceded by a negative sentence (Buttmann, § 139, 35), with the aorist subjunctive having the force of a future perfect in Latin (Buttmann, 231 (199)), Luke 2:26 (R G L T Tr marginal reading, but WH brackets ἤ), and R G in Luke 22:34; πρίν ἤ, followed by the optative of a thing as entertained in thought, Acts 25:16 (Winers Grammar, 297 (279); Buttmann, 230 (198)). Cf. Matthiae, § 522, 2, p. 1201f; Alexander Buttmann (1873) Gram. § 139, 41; Klotz ad Devar. ii. 2, p. 720ff; Winers Grammar (and Buttmann), as above. The term marks temporal priority—an action, event, or state that precedes another. New Testament writers employ it to knit together sequences, highlight divine foreknowledge, and underscore the reliability of prophecy. Whether announcing the virgin conception (Matthew 1:18) or warning of Peter’s denial (Mark 14:30), the word alerts readers to the point at which the sovereign plan of God intersects human chronology. Christological Significance In John 8:58 Jesus proclaims, “before Abraham was born, I am!”—a declaration that places His existence outside created time. The adverb thus serves as a verbal bridge from temporal history to eternal reality, affirming the pre-incarnate Son’s deity (cf. Colossians 1:17; Revelation 22:13). By anchoring the Lord’s “I am” to a moment centuries earlier, the Gospel asserts both continuity with Old Testament revelation and the transcendence of Christ over history. Prophetic and Eschatological Horizons Acts 2:20 cites Joel: “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.” Here the word delineates the dawning of the eschaton, situating cosmic signs as precursors to the parousia. Likewise, Jesus comforts His disciples: “And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe” (John 14:29). The predictive “before” undergirds the certainty of prophetic fulfillment and invites faith that looks ahead with assurance. Pastoral Implications of Divine Forewarning Jesus’ foretelling of Peter’s fall—“before the rooster crows” (Luke 22:61)—illustrates loving foreknowledge that prepares a believer for restoration. In ministry, the principle encourages pastoral leaders to speak truth in advance, guiding congregations through impending trials while holding out grace for repentance. Witness and Assurance in Salvation History Luke 2:26 records Simeon’s promise that he would not die “before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” The word binds personal expectation to redemptive history, reminding believers that God’s timing aligns individual lives with His larger salvific work. Matthew 1:18 likewise positions Mary’s pregnancy “before they came together,” emphasizing the Spirit’s initiative and safeguarding the doctrine of the virgin birth. Legal and Ethical Order Paul recounts Roman jurisprudence: “It is not the custom of the Romans to hand any man over before he has faced his accusers” (Acts 25:16). The term preserves the notion of due process, reinforcing biblical calls for justice (Deuteronomy 19:15; Proverbs 18:13). Christian ethics thus honors God-given order in both church discipline and civil engagement. Missionary Urgency The eclipse imagery of Acts 2:20 and the imminent crowing of the rooster in the Passion narratives remind the church that decisive moments approach quickly. The word therefore fuels evangelistic zeal—proclaim Christ “before” the door of opportunity closes (John 9:4). Intertextual Echoes The temporal marker often resonates with Old Testament antecedents: covenant promises spoken “before” birth (Jeremiah 1:5), prophetic warnings delivered “before” judgment (Isaiah 1:18-20), and covenant blessings announced “before” obedience (Deuteronomy 28). New Testament usage draws these threads into the tapestry of fulfilled revelation in Jesus Christ. Summary Whether unveiling eternal pre-existence, authenticating prophetic utterance, or urging ethical preparedness, Strong’s Greek 4250 functions as a theological signpost. It points back to God’s prior decree and forward to His accomplished purpose, assuring believers that every moment is encompassed by the One who declares “the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10). Englishman's Concordance Matthew 1:18 AdvGRK: τῷ Ἰωσήφ πρὶν ἢ συνελθεῖν NAS: to Joseph, before they came together KJV: to Joseph, before they INT: to Joseph before rather came together Matthew 26:34 Adv Matthew 26:75 Adv Mark 14:30 Adv Mark 14:72 Adv Luke 2:26 Adv Luke 22:61 Adv John 4:49 Adv John 8:58 Adv John 14:29 Adv Acts 2:20 Adv Acts 7:2 Adv Acts 25:16 Adv |
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