Lexical Summary prosanabainó: To go up to, to ascend further Original Word: προσαναβαίνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance go up. From pros and anabaino; to ascend farther, i.e. Be promoted (take an upper (more honorable) seat) -- go up. see GREEK pros see GREEK anabaino NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pros and anabainó Definition to go up besides NASB Translation move (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4320: προσαναβαίνωπροσαναβαίνω: 2 aorist imperative 2 person singular προσανάβηθι; to go up farther: with ἀνώτερον added, Luke 14:10 (A. V. go up higher; others regard the προς( as adding the suggestion of 'motion to' the place where the host stands: 'come up higher' (cf. Proverbs 25:7). Xenophon, Aristotle, others.) Topical Lexicon Linguistic Nuance and Literary Placement The verb occurs only once in the New Testament—Luke 14:10—where Jesus employs it within a parable about seating etiquette at a banquet. Its compound form portrays a movement upward that is prompted rather than self-initiated, emphasizing reception of honor from another rather than self-promotion. Biblical Setting Luke 14 opens with Jesus dining in the home of a Pharisee on the Sabbath. Observing guests vying for prestigious seats, He crafts a parable grounded in Proverbs 25:6–7. The sole command, “Friend, move up higher” (Luke 14:10), turns ordinary table manners into a lesson on humility before God and man. Theological Implications 1. Divine Exaltation versus Human Pride Luke 14:11 immediately follows: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” The unique verb underlines that genuine elevation comes only when the true Host (ultimately God) calls a person upward. The guest contributes nothing to merit advancement; the invitation originates entirely with the host. The word thus illustrates salvation by grace, anticipating passages such as Ephesians 2:6 where believers are “seated with Him in the heavenly realms.” The banquet imagery anticipates the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). Being told to “come up higher” previews the final, divinely endowed honor for the humble. Cultural and Historical Background First-century banquets followed a strict honor-shame hierarchy. To “go up” meant occupying a couch closer to the host, visibly signaling status. Jesus inverts the social script: the safest path to honor is voluntary lowliness, trusting the host’s prerogative rather than jockeying for recognition. Intertextual Echoes • Proverbs 25:6–7—foundation for the parable, proving Scripture’s internal coherence. Christological Reflection Jesus embodies the teaching. Though eternally pre-eminent, He “emptied Himself” (Philippians 2:7) and awaited the Father’s exaltation (Philippians 2:9). The lone New Testament use of the verb thus mirrors the singularity of Christ’s own path from self-abasement to divine enthronement, providing the paradigm for all disciples. Applications for Ministry • Leadership Formation: Encourage emerging leaders to take the lowest seat in service, allowing God to vindicate faithful character. Eschatological Resonance The upward summons foretells a future when “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven” and the saints “will be caught up” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). Prosanabainō offers a lexical whisper of that climactic ascent. Questions for Reflection and Teaching 1. Where might I be scrambling for a higher seat instead of waiting for the Host? Forms and Transliterations προσαναβαίνει προσαναβάσεως προσαναβηθι προσανάβηθι προσαναβήναι προσαναβήσεται prosanabethi prosanabēthi prosanábethi prosanábēthiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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