4280. proereó

Lexical Summary

proereó: To say beforehand, to foretell, to declare in advance.

Original Word: προερέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: proereó
Pronunciation: pro-er-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (pro-er-eh'-o)
KJV: foretell, say (speak, tell) before
Word Origin: [from G4253 (πρό - before) and G2046 (ἐρέω - To say), used as alternate of G4277 (προέπω - to foreknow)]

1. to say already, predict

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

foretell, say before.

From pro and ereo; used as alternate of proepo; to say already, predict -- foretell, say (speak, tell) before.

see GREEK pro

see GREEK ereo

see GREEK proepo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
fut. of proeipon, q.v.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

προερέω (proeréō) conveys the idea of “saying before-hand.” The term occurs in the Septuagint and other Koine sources to describe advance declaration, whether by God, a prophet, or a human leader. While no form appears in the Greek New Testament, the notion it expresses—divine foretelling and prior warning—pervades the biblical storyline, binding together prophecy, covenant, and fulfillment.

Septuagint Witness

1. Divine self-attestation. In Isaiah 45:21 the Lord challenges the nations: “Who foretold this long ago? Who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD?”. The LXX renders the verbs of foretelling with forms of προερέω, stressing Yahweh’s unique prerogative to speak history into being before it happens.
2. Covenant warnings. Moses tells Israel that the curses of Deuteronomy 28 have been “foretold” to them (cf. Deuteronomy 32:7-43 LXX). The advance word shows that judgment is never arbitrary; it is a fulfillment of previously declared covenant terms.
3. Messianic expectation. In Psalms 16:10 and 22:1-18 (LXX numbering 15 and 21) David’s prophetic laments are tagged with forms related to προερέω in superscriptions or commentary sections, highlighting that the Messiah’s sufferings and resurrection were “spoken beforehand.”

Relation to Hebrew Concepts

Where Hebrew employs נָבָא (navaʾ, to prophesy) or נָגַד (nagad, to make known), the translators often chose προερέω to emphasize the temporal element—speaking before the event. The choice underscores that biblical prophecy is not educated guesswork but revelation given in advance.

Foretelling in the History of Redemption

• Patriarchal promises: The exodus, the land, and the coming Seed were all “spoken beforehand” to Abraham (Genesis 15).
• Prophetic era: From Amos’s warnings to Jeremiah’s seventy-year exile prediction, the Lord “rose up early and sent” prophets who announced judgment and restoration prior to their occurrence (Jeremiah 25:4-11).
• Christ event: Jesus consistently locates His passion predictions in “what was spoken beforehand by the prophets” (cf. Matthew 26:54). Though προερέω itself is absent, the concept saturates Gospel narrative.
• Apostolic preaching: Peter proclaims, “God foretold through all the prophets what His Christ would suffer, and He has thus fulfilled it” (Acts 3:18). Paul frames the gospel as that “which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures” (Romans 1:2).

Echoes in New Testament Vocabulary

Words such as προλέγω (foretell, predict), προγράφω (write beforehand), and προφητεύω (prophesy) carry forward the semantic field of προερέω. Together they affirm that God’s plan was announced in advance and verified in Jesus Christ and the Church.

Doctrinal Implications

1. Divine Sovereignty. Advance declaration underscores God’s rule over time; nothing surprises Him.
2. Scriptural Reliability. Fulfilled prophecy validates the trustworthiness of Scripture.
3. Unity of Revelation. The same God who “spoke beforehand” in the Law and the Prophets speaks consummately in His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).

Pastoral and Homiletical Application

• Preaching: Trace a promise-fulfillment line (for example, Isaiah 53 → John 19) to strengthen confidence in God’s word.
• Counseling: Remind believers that trials do not catch God off guard; He often prepares His people by prior warning (John 16:33).
• Missions: The gospel rests on foretold, historical acts, distinguishing it from myth and speculation; this bolsters evangelistic apologetics.

Summary

Though προερέω does not surface in the extant New Testament text, its theme of advance declaration forms a vital thread in redemptive history. From the first promise of a Serpent-crusher to the prophetic unveiling of the new heavens and new earth, Scripture consistently presents a God who speaks first and fulfills later, inviting His people to trust, obey, and proclaim the word He has “said beforehand.”

Forms and Transliterations

προείρηκα προειρήκαμεν προείρηκεν προειρηκέναι προειρημένων

Englishman's Concordance

πρόδηλοί — 1 Occ.
πρόδηλον — 1 Occ.
προέδωκεν — 1 Occ.
προδόται — 2 Occ.
προδότης — 1 Occ.
πρόδρομος — 1 Occ.
προηλπικότας — 1 Occ.
προεῖπεν — 1 Occ.
προενήρξασθε — 1 Occ.
προενήρξατο — 1 Occ.
προεπηγγελμένην — 1 Occ.
προῆλθον — 2 Occ.
προήρχετο — 1 Occ.
προελεύσεται — 1 Occ.
προελθὼν — 2 Occ.
προέλθωσιν — 1 Occ.
προελθόντες — 2 Occ.
προητοίμασεν — 2 Occ.
προευηγγελίσατο — 1 Occ.
προεχόμεθα — 1 Occ.