4271. prodélos

Lexical Summary

prodélos: Clearly evident, manifest, obvious

Original Word: πρόδηλος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: prodélos
Pronunciation: pro'-day-los
Phonetic Spelling: (prod'-ay-los)
KJV: evident, manifest (open) beforehand
NASB: quite evident, evident
Word Origin: [from G4253 (πρό - before) and G1212 (δῆλος - evident)]

1. plain before all men, i.e. obvious

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

evident, manifest beforehand.

From pro and delos; plain before all men, i.e. Obvious -- evident, manifest (open) beforehand.

see GREEK pro

see GREEK delos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pro and délos
Definition
evident beforehand
NASB Translation
evident (1), quite evident (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4271: πρόδηλος

πρόδηλος, πρόδηλον (πρό (d. α. and) δῆλος), openly evident, known to all, manifest: 1 Timothy 5:24f; neuter followed by ὅτι, Hebrews 7:14. ((From Sophocles and Herodotus down.))

Topical Lexicon

Root Meaning and Semantic Range

Strong’s Greek 4271, πρόδηλος, conveys the idea of something that is plainly visible, unmistakably clear, or publicly apparent. It speaks to what cannot be hidden because it stands out for all to see, whether an action, a reputation, or a truth revealed by God.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1 Timothy 5:24 – Paul notes that certain sins precede the sinner into judgment, being “obvious” to all.

1 Timothy 5:25 – Likewise, good works can be “conspicuous,” following after those who perform them.

Hebrews 7:14 – The writer states, “For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah”, stressing the indisputable prophetic fulfillment in Jesus’ lineage.

Contextual Insights

• In 1 Timothy 5, πρόδηλος frames pastoral discernment. Timothy is instructed to evaluate elders carefully; some faults shout ahead, others surface later. The term highlights the contrast between hidden and revealed motives in church leadership.
• Hebrews 7:14 employs πρόδηλος to ground Christ’s priesthood in historical fact. Despite Levi supplying Israel’s priests, Scripture made it “obvious” the Messiah would emerge from Judah, underlining God’s sovereignty in choosing a priest “in the order of Melchizedek.”

Theological Significance

1. Divine Revelation: God does not leave critical matters ambiguous. When necessary for faith and practice, He makes truth πρόδηλος, reinforcing confidence in Scriptural clarity.
2. Moral Transparency: Human behavior ultimately becomes evident; hidden sin as well as quiet righteousness come to light. This underscores future judgment’s fairness (Romans 2:16) and encourages perseverance in well-doing (Galatians 6:9).
3. Christological Certainty: Hebrews leverages πρόδηλος to affirm Jesus’ Messianic qualifications. The manifest evidence of His tribe verifies covenant promises and supports the legitimacy of the New Covenant priesthood.

Applications for Ministry

• Leadership Evaluation: Churches should allow time and testing so that conduct—good or bad—becomes πρόδηλος, avoiding hasty ordinations or condemnations.
• Teaching Clarity: Preachers must present doctrine in a way that is unmistakably clear, mirroring the word’s emphasis on manifest truth.
• Accountability Structures: Since deeds will eventually surface, healthy accountability anticipates judgment and fosters repentance before public exposure occurs.

Historical Background

First-century congregations faced itinerant teachers and evolving leadership structures. Paul’s advice to Timothy reflects the practical need for visible evidence before affirming or censuring leaders. Likewise, Hebrews answers Jewish-Christian concerns by pointing to undeniable (“clear”) Messianic fulfillment, strengthening believers amid persecution and doctrinal confusion.

Related Biblical Themes

• Light versus Darkness (John 3:19-21) – Works done in God are brought into the light.
• Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) – All will be revealed.
• Integrity and Reputation (Proverbs 20:11; Matthew 7:16) – Fruits disclose character.

Summary

Πρόδηλος emphasizes that God in His wisdom eventually brings both truth and conduct into open daylight. Whether authenticating Christ’s royal-priestly lineage or exposing hidden motives within the church, the term assures believers that what is genuinely of God will stand manifest, while hypocrisy cannot remain concealed forever.

Forms and Transliterations

προδηλα πρόδηλα πρόδηλά προδηλοι πρόδηλοί προδηλον πρόδηλον prodela prodēla pródela pródēla prodeloi prodēloi pródeloí pródēloí prodelon prodēlon pródelon pródēlon

Englishman's Concordance

1 Timothy 5:24 Adj-NFP
GRK: αἱ ἁμαρτίαι πρόδηλοί εἰσιν προάγουσαι
NAS: men are quite evident, going before
KJV: are open beforehand, going before
INT: the sins manifest are going before

1 Timothy 5:25 Adj-NNP
GRK: τὰ καλὰ πρόδηλα καὶ τὰ
NAS: that are good are quite evident, and those
KJV: [of some] are manifest beforehand; and
INT: those good manifest and those that

Hebrews 7:14 Adj-NNS
GRK: πρόδηλον γὰρ ὅτι
NAS: For it is evident that our Lord
KJV: For [it is] evident that our
INT: evident indeed that

Strong's Greek 4271
3 Occurrences

πρόδηλα — 1 Occ.
πρόδηλοί — 1 Occ.
πρόδηλον — 1 Occ.