4300. prokuroó

Lexical Summary

prokuroó: To ratify beforehand, to preordain, to confirm in advance.

Original Word: προκυρόω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: prokuroó
Pronunciation: pro-koo-ROH-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (prok-oo-ro'-o)
KJV: confirm before
NASB: previously ratified
Word Origin: [from G4253 (πρό - before) and G2964 (κυρόω - ratified)]

1. to ratify previously

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

confirm before.

From pro and kuroo; to ratify previously -- confirm before.

see GREEK pro

see GREEK kuroo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pro and kuroó
Definition
to establish beforehand
NASB Translation
previously ratified (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4300: προκυρόω

προκυρόω, προκύρω: perfect passive participle προκεκυρωμενος; to sanction, ratify, or establish beforehand: Galatians 3:17. ((Eusebius, praep. evang. 10, 4 (ii., p. 70, 3 edition Heinichen)); Byzantine writings.)

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Core Idea

Strong’s Greek 4300, προκεκυρωμένη (verb, perfect participle), pictures a covenant or legal document that has been officially validated before a later event. The emphasis lies on an action completed in the past whose binding force continues. In Galatians 3:17 Paul employs the word to underline the immutability of God’s covenant promise to Abraham in the face of the later Mosaic Law.

Occurrence in Scripture

Galatians 3:17 is the sole New Testament instance:

“What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously ratified by God, so as to invalidate the promise.” (Berean Standard Bible)

Historical-Legal Background

1. Classical and papyrus evidence shows κυρόω used for the sealing of wills, marriage contracts, land deeds, and treaties. When pro- (“beforehand”) is prefixed, the emphasis falls on a ratification already in force when another legal instrument appears.
2. In the Greco-Roman world a ratified contract could not be annulled without the consent of every signatory; any subsequent statute was interpreted in harmony with, not in opposition to, the earlier confirmed agreement. Paul draws upon this shared legal consciousness to argue that even human covenants enjoy stability—how much more an oath sworn by God Himself (compare Hebrews 6:13-18).

Theological Significance in Covenant Theology

1. The Abrahamic Promise
• Genesis 12:2-3; 15:5-21; 17:4-8; 22:16-18 portray a unilateral pledge grounded in God’s grace, received by faith (Genesis 15:6).
• Paul interprets the “Seed” as ultimately Christ (Galatians 3:16), showing that the gospel was embedded in the older covenant.

2. The Mosaic Law
• Given “430 years later,” the Law serves a different purpose: to reveal transgression, serve as a guardian, and point to Christ (Galatians 3:19, 24).
• Because the promise was “previously ratified,” the Law cannot nullify or compete with it; instead, it operates within the parameters already set by grace.

3. Continuity and Consistency
• God’s redemptive plan unfolds progressively but never contradictorily. The earlier ratification guarantees that later administrations (Sinai, Davidic kingship, New Covenant) harmonize rather than clash.
• The verb highlights divine faithfulness; what God has sealed stands secure despite historical developments.

Implications for the Law and the Promise

1. Justification by Faith
• Since the Law cannot overturn the earlier covenant, salvation remains by faith apart from works of the Law (Galatians 3:8-12; Romans 4:1-5).

2. Inheritance through Promise
• Believers, whether Jew or Gentile, become heirs with Abraham (Galatians 3:29) because the promise, not ethnic descent or Torah observance, governs the inheritance.

3. Assurance of Salvation
• The perfect tense “previously ratified” stresses permanence. Assurance rests on God’s unalterable word, not on fluctuating human performance (John 10:28-29; 2 Timothy 1:12).

Ministerial Application

1. Preaching and Teaching
• Emphasize God’s unwavering commitment to His promises. The covenant ratified with Abraham finds fulfillment in Christ and offers a stable foundation for faith and life.

2. Pastoral Care
• Believers battling insecurity can be pointed to the unbreakable chain from promise to fulfillment. God’s prior ratification answers doubts about acceptance and future hope.

3. Evangelism and Missions
• The Abrahamic promise envisioned blessing “to all nations” (Genesis 12:3). The certainty conveyed by προκεκυρωμένη encourages bold proclamation that the gospel is God’s long-standing plan for every people group.

Related Biblical Themes and Passages

• Immutability of God’s counsel: Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8
• Covenant oath: Genesis 22:16-18; Psalm 105:8-11
• The Law’s pedagogical role: Romans 3:19-20; Galatians 3:24
• Inheritance language: Ephesians 1:11-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4300 underscores the irrevocable nature of God’s earlier covenant with Abraham. By using a term familiar from contemporary legal practice, Paul assures believers that the Law, though divinely given, never displaces the promise already sealed. The gospel, therefore, rests on a foundation laid centuries before Sinai and guaranteed by God’s own character. This permanence calls the Church to faith, confidence, and mission grounded in the certainty of divine ratification.

Forms and Transliterations

προκεκυρωμενην προκεκυρωμένην prokekuromenen prokekurōmenēn prokekyromenen prokekyroménen prokekyrōmenēn prokekyrōménēn

Englishman's Concordance

Galatians 3:17 V-RPM/P-AFS
GRK: λέγω διαθήκην προκεκυρωμένην ὑπὸ τοῦ
NAS: a covenant previously ratified by God,
KJV: [that] the covenant, that was confirmed before of
INT: I say [the] covenant confirmed beforehand by

Strong's Greek 4300
1 Occurrence

προκεκυρωμένην — 1 Occ.