4269. progonos

Lexicon

progonos: Ancestor, forefather

Original Word: πρόγονος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: progonos
Pronunciation: prog'-o-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (prog'-on-os)
Definition: Ancestor, forefather
Meaning: an ancestor.

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

Word Origin: Derived from πρό (pro, "before") and γίνομαι (ginomai, "to become" or "to be born").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of ancestors or forefathers in the Hebrew Bible is often represented by terms such as אָבוֹת (avot, Strong's Hebrew 1), which means "fathers" or "ancestors." This term is frequently used in the Old Testament to refer to the patriarchs and the lineage of the Israelites, emphasizing the covenantal relationship between God and His people through successive generations.

Usage: The term πρόγονος is used in the New Testament to refer to one's ancestors or forefathers, highlighting the lineage or heritage from which a person descends.

Context: The Greek term πρόγονος appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the importance of lineage and heritage. It is used to denote those who have come before, particularly in a familial or ancestral sense. In 1 Timothy 5:4, the term is used to instruct believers on the importance of caring for their own family members, especially widows, as a demonstration of piety and respect for their forebears. The passage reads: "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." (BSB)

This usage underscores the biblical principle of honoring one's family and maintaining the continuity of faith and values across generations. The concept of πρόγονος is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious context of the time, where ancestry and familial ties were integral to one's identity and social responsibilities. The term reflects the broader biblical theme of generational faithfulness and the transmission of spiritual and moral values from one generation to the next.

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.