Lexical Summary prodromos: Forerunner Original Word: πρόδρομος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance forerunner. From the alternate of protrecho; a runner ahead, i.e. Scout (figuratively, precursor) -- forerunner. see GREEK protrecho HELPS Word-studies 4274 pródromos (from 4253 /pró, "before" and 1408 /drómos, "a race-course") – properly, a person running ahead (a forerunner) to reach the destination before others – i.e. arriving safely in advance for the benefit of others who also need to get there. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom protrechó Definition a running forward, going in advance NASB Translation forerunner (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4274: πρόδρομοςπρόδρομος, προδρομου, ὁ, ἡ (προτρέχω, προδραμεῖν), a forerunner (especially one who is sent before to take observations or act as spy, a scout, a light-armed soldier; Aeschylus, Herodotus, Thucydides, Polybius, Diodorus, Plutarch, others; cf. Wis. 12:8); one who comes in advance to a place whither the rest are to follow: Hebrews 6:20. Topical Lexicon Background and Historical Context In the ancient Hellenistic world a prodromos was the advance scout who went ahead of an army, a herald announcing a king’s arrival, or the pilot boat that slipped inside a harbor to secure mooring for an incoming vessel. The term carried the idea of both representation and preparation: the prodromos acted on behalf of those who followed and guaranteed safe passage for them when they arrived. Biblical Usage The sole New Testament occurrence is Hebrews 6:20, where Jesus is called “our forerunner” (πρόδρομος). The verse completes the hope-anchor metaphor of Hebrews 6:19: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf; He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek”. By using naval language familiar to Mediterranean readers, the author pictures believers in the ship of faith held fast by an anchor lodged within the heavenly Holy of Holies, already secured by the One who preceded them. Theological Implications 1. Assurance of Access: Under the Mosaic covenant only the high priest entered the inner sanctuary, and only once a year (Leviticus 16:2-19). Jesus, however, entered permanently “on our behalf,” foreshadowing the believer’s own entrance (Hebrews 10:19-22). Christological Significance Jesus fulfills every strand of the forerunner motif: Pastoral Application Believers threatened by persecution, doubt, or weariness may find steadfast encouragement in the forerunner image: Intertestamental and Early Church Reflection Jewish writings of the Second Temple era refer to the prophet Elijah or the archangel Michael as heavenly intercessors, but Hebrews reserves the title of forerunner exclusively for the exalted Son. Early Christian commentators such as Clement of Alexandria and Chrysostom emphasized the naval background, urging congregations to ride out life’s storms by fixing their eyes on the harbor light of Christ’s presence within the veil. Related Biblical Parallels • Joshua 3:3-4 – The Ark goes before Israel through the Jordan. Though the exact Greek term is absent in these passages, the conceptual thread of a leader going in advance runs consistently through redemptive history. Summary Strong’s Greek 4274 captures the heart of Christian assurance: Jesus Messiah has gone ahead as the decisive representative of His people, anchoring their hope within the very presence of God. Because the forerunner has entered, arrival for all who belong to Him is not merely possible but promised. Forms and Transliterations πρόδρομοι προδρομος πρόδρομος prodromos pródromosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |