4269. progonos

Lexical Summary

progonos: Ancestor, forefather

Original Word: πρόγονος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: progonos
Pronunciation: prog'-o-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (prog'-on-os)
KJV: forefather, parent
NASB: forefathers, parents
Word Origin: [from G4266 (προγίνομαι - previously committed)]

1. an ancestor, (grand-)parent

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

forefather, parent.

From proginomai; an ancestor, (grand-)parent -- forefather, parent.

see GREEK proginomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from proginomai
Definition
born before
NASB Translation
forefathers (1), parents (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4269: πρόγονος

πρόγονος, προγονου, ὁ (προγίνομαι), born before, older: Homer, Odyssey 9, 221; plural ancestors, Latinmajores (often so by Greek writings from Pindar down): ἀπό προγόνων, in the spirit and after the manner received from (my) forefathers (cf. ἀπό, II. 2 d. aa., p. 59a bottom), 2 Timothy 1:3; used of a mother, grandparents, and (if such survive) great-grandparents, 1 Timothy 5:4 (A. V. parents) (of surviving ancestors also in Plato, legg. 11, p. 932 at the beginning).

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Scope

Strong’s 4269 speaks of one’s “forebears,” the line of ancestry that stands behind a believer. The term embraces both immediate parents and more distant patriarchs, underscoring the continuity that binds generations together in God’s redemptive purposes.

Biblical Usage

• 2 Timothy 1:3 employs the word in Paul’s thanksgiving: “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience, as did my forefathers, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers”. Here Paul links his present ministry to a heritage of faithful service that stretches back through Israel’s story.
• 1 Timothy 5:4 urges children and grandchildren to “repay their parents,” grounding practical care for widows in gratitude toward one’s progenitors: “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to show godliness to their own family and to repay their parents; for this is pleasing in the sight of God”.

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Continuity. Scripture regularly ties divine promises to succeeding generations (Genesis 17:7; Psalm 103:17-18). Paul’s reference to his forefathers affirms that the gospel fulfills, rather than abandons, the faith of Israel.
2. Honor and Gratitude. The fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12) receives New-Testament reinforcement. Caring for aging parents is presented not merely as social courtesy but as worship.
3. Stewardship of Faith. Ancestral faith is a trust to be received, guarded, and transmitted (2 Timothy 1:14; Jude 3). The word therefore confronts each generation with both privilege and responsibility.

Historical Context

In Jewish thought, lineage anchored identity within the covenant community; genealogies preserved land rights and messianic hope. In Greco-Roman culture, honoring ancestors upheld family reputation. Paul reorients both perspectives: heritage matters most when it cultivates sincere worship of the living God and active love for others.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Family discipleship: Parents are to lay foundations of belief for children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4).
• Elder care: Churches must encourage material and emotional support for seniors, beginning with their own households (1 Timothy 5:8).
• Doctrinal fidelity: Leaders are to preserve apostolic teaching so future believers receive an uncorrupted gospel (2 Timothy 2:2).
• Personal identity: Remembering faithful ancestors fortifies courage in present trials, as Paul models for Timothy.

Related Scriptures

Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 32:7; Psalm 78:3-7; Proverbs 13:22; Luke 1:72; Acts 24:14; Hebrews 11; 1 Peter 1:18-19.

Summary

Strong’s 4269 reminds believers that faith is never an isolated experience. It is rooted in the witness of earlier generations and calls for tangible acts of honor, care, and doctrinal stewardship that will bless generations yet to come.

Forms and Transliterations

προγονοις προγόνοις προγονων προγόνων progonois progónois progonon progonōn progónon progónōn

Englishman's Concordance

1 Timothy 5:4 N-DMP
GRK: ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς προγόνοις τοῦτο γάρ
NAS: and to make some return to their parents; for this
KJV: and to requite their parents: for that
INT: to give to parents that indeed

2 Timothy 1:3 N-GMP
GRK: λατρεύω ἀπὸ προγόνων ἐν καθαρᾷ
NAS: the way my forefathers did, as I constantly
KJV: from [my] forefathers with
INT: I serve from [my] forefathers with pure

Strong's Greek 4269
2 Occurrences

προγόνων — 1 Occ.
προγόνοις — 1 Occ.