4277
Lexical Summary
proginosko: to foreknow, to know beforehand

Original Word: προγινώσκω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: proginosko
Pronunciation: pro-gin-OCE-ko
Phonetic Spelling: (pro-ep'-o)
KJV: forewarn, say (speak, tell) before
Word Origin: [from G4253 (πρό - before) and G2036 (ἔπω - said)]

1. to say already, to predict

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
forewarn, say before

From pro and epo; to say already, to predict -- forewarn, say (speak, tell) before. Compare proereo.

see GREEK pro

see GREEK epo

see GREEK proereo

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4277: προεῖπον

προεῖπον (2 aorist active from an unused present (see εἶπον, at the beginning)), 1 person plural προείπομεν (1 Thessalonians 4:6 Griesbach), προείπαμεν, (ibid. R L T Tr WH (see WH's Appendix, p. 164)); perfect προείρηκα; perfect passive προείρημαι (see εἶπον, p. 181a top); from Homer ((by tmesis); Herodotus and Plato) down; to say before; i. e., a. to say in what precedes, to say above: followed by ὅτι, 2 Corinthians 7:3; followed by direct discourse (Hebrews 4:7 L T Tr WH text); Hebrews 10:15 (Rec.).

b. to say before i. e. heretofore, formerly: followed by ὅτι, 2 Corinthians 13:2; Galatians 5:21; followed by direct discourse, Galatians 1:9; (Hebrews 4:7 WH marginal reading); καθώς προείπαμεν ὑμῖν, 1 Thessalonians 4:6; (in the passages under this head (except Galatians 1:9) some would give προ( the sense of openly, plainly (cf. R. V. marginal reading)).

c. to say beforehand i. e. before the event; so used in reference to prophecies: τί, Acts 1:16; τά ῤήματα τό προειρημενα ὑπό τίνος, Jude 1:17; 2 Peter 3:2; προείρηκα ὑμῖν πάντα, Mark 13:23; namely, αὐτό, Matthew 24:25; followed by direct discourse, Romans 9:29.

STRONGS NT 4277: προείρηκαπροείρηκα see προεῖπον.

Topical Lexicon
Overview of the Verb’s Biblical Function

Strong’s Greek 4277 highlights the act of speaking in advance—divine foretelling rather than mere human guesswork. The single New Testament occurrence stands as a vivid example of God’s purposeful disclosure of future events through inspired spokesmen, underscoring the coherence of Scripture from Psalms to Acts.

Biblical Context: Acts 1:16

In the Upper Room, Peter addresses one hundred and twenty believers:

“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas…” (Acts 1:16).

Here, προεῖπεν operates as the hinge between Davidic prophecy and apostolic fulfillment. Peter affirms three foundational truths:

1. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate Author.
2. David served as the Spirit’s mouthpiece.
3. Judas’s betrayal, dreadful though it was, unfolded under divine foreknowledge, not accident.

Old Testament Grounding

Peter implicitly references Psalm 41:9; Psalm 69:25; Psalm 109:8—all shaping the early Church’s understanding of Judas. These Psalms, penned nearly a millennium earlier, demonstrate that God’s redemptive timeline accommodates even treachery, weaving it into a greater salvific design.

Christological Dimension

The advance proclamation about Judas magnifies Christ’s sufferings as both foretold and essential. Jesus Himself affirmed this pattern: “The Son of Man goes as it has been determined” (Luke 22:22). Foretelling validates Jesus as the promised Messiah whose mission was scripted long before Advent.

Pneumatological Insight

Acts 1:16 attributes the prophecy to the Holy Spirit, confirming that the same Spirit who empowered David also guided apostolic interpretation. This continuity guarantees doctrinal unity across covenants and encourages reliance on Spirit-illumined Scripture for present ministry.

Historical Significance for the Early Church

At a volatile moment between Ascension and Pentecost, Peter anchors communal decision-making (selecting Matthias) in divinely foretold Scripture. The verb thus becomes a precedent for the Church’s hermeneutic: interpret unfolding events through the lens of what God has already spoken.

Ministry Applications

1. Preaching: Faithful proclamation links past prophecies to present realities, helping congregations see God’s unbroken narrative.
2. Apologetics: Fulfilled foretelling offers evidence for the reliability of Scripture and the sovereignty of God.
3. Pastoral Care: Believers facing betrayal or hardship can trust that nothing escapes divine notice; God’s purposes prevail.
4. Mission Strategy: Confidence in God’s foretold plan emboldens evangelistic efforts, knowing history moves toward a promised consummation.

Eschatological Assurance

If God’s word about Judas came to pass precisely, disciples may rest assured that promises concerning Christ’s return (Acts 1:11), resurrection hope (1 Corinthians 15:20-23), and the new creation (Revelation 21:1-5) will likewise be fulfilled.

Related New Testament Echoes of Divine Foretelling

Matthew 26:24 – Jesus cites prophetic necessity regarding His betrayal and death.
Luke 24:25-27 – The risen Christ interprets Moses and the Prophets as speaking beforehand about Himself.
2 Peter 1:19-21 – Prophecy never originated in human will but from men carried along by the Holy Spirit, paralleling Peter’s earlier conviction in Acts 1:16.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4277, though occurring only once in the New Testament text, illuminates a key biblical conviction: God speaks before events transpire, ensuring that history unfolds according to His immutable word. This foretelling builds confidence in Scripture’s authority, anchors ecclesial decisions, and fuels Gospel proclamation until every promise is brought to completion.

Forms and Transliterations
προείπαμεν προείπε προείπον
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