4386. proteron

Lexicon

proteron: Formerly, previously, before

Original Word: πρότερον
Part of Speech: Adjective; Adverb, Comparative
Transliteration: proteron
Pronunciation: pro'-ter-on
Phonetic Spelling: (prot'-er-on)
Definition: Formerly, previously, before
Meaning: formerly, before.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

former, before

Neuter of proteros as adverb (with or without the article); previously -- before, (at the) first, former.

see GREEK proteros

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
adverb from proteros, q.v.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the comparative form of πρό (pro), meaning "before" or "in front of."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for πρότερον, similar concepts of "former" or "previous" can be found in Hebrew words like קֶדֶם (qedem, Strong's 6924), meaning "before" or "ancient," and רִאשׁוֹן (ri'shon, Strong's 7223), meaning "first" or "former." These terms are used in the Old Testament to denote past times or earlier states.

Usage: The word πρότερον is used in the New Testament to refer to a previous time or condition, often contrasting with a current or future state. It is typically translated as "formerly" or "before" in English.

Context: • Contextual Analysis: In the New Testament, πρότερον is used to highlight a change or transition from a past state to a present or future condition. It often appears in discussions of spiritual transformation or historical recounting.
• Theological Significance: The use of πρότερον underscores the transformative power of faith and the gospel. It emphasizes the contrast between a life before knowing Christ and the new life that follows. This is evident in passages where believers are reminded of their former ways and the new identity they have in Christ.
• Key Verses:
• John 9:8 (BSB): "Then the neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging began to ask, 'Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?'"
• Galatians 4:13 (BSB): "You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you."
• Ephesians 2:11 (BSB): "Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called 'uncircumcised' by the so-called 'circumcision' that is done in the body by human hands—"
• Exegesis: In John 9:8, πρότερον is used to describe the past condition of the man born blind, highlighting the miraculous change brought by Jesus. In Galatians 4:13, Paul refers to his initial visit to the Galatians, emphasizing the circumstances that led to their first hearing of the gospel. Ephesians 2:11 uses πρότερον to remind Gentile believers of their previous status before becoming part of God's covenant community.

Forms and Transliterations

προτεραν προτέραν προτερον πρότερον proteran protéran proteron próteron

Englishman's Concordance

John 6:62 Adj-NNS
GRK: ἦν τὸ πρότερον
KJV: where he was before?
INT: he was before

John 7:50 Adj-ANS
GRK: αὐτὸν τὸ πρότερον εἷς ὢν
INT: him the former one being

John 9:8 Adj-ANS
GRK: αὐτὸν τὸ πρότερον ὅτι προσαίτης
KJV: and they which before had seen
INT: him before that a beggar

2 Corinthians 1:15 Adv
GRK: πεποιθήσει ἐβουλόμην πρότερον πρὸς ὑμᾶς
KJV: unto you before, that ye might have
INT: confidence I purposed previously to you

Galatians 4:13 Adj-ANS
GRK: ὑμῖν τὸ πρότερον
KJV: unto you at the first.
INT: to you at the first

Ephesians 4:22 Adj-AFS
GRK: κατὰ τὴν προτέραν ἀναστροφὴν τὸν
INT: according to the former conduct the

1 Timothy 1:13 Adv
GRK: τὸ πρότερον ὄντα βλάσφημον
KJV: Who was before a blasphemer, and
INT: previously being a blasphemer

Hebrews 4:6 Adv
GRK: καὶ οἱ πρότερον εὐαγγελισθέντες οὐκ
KJV: and they to whom it was first preached
INT: and the [ones] formerly having received the gospel not

Hebrews 7:27 Adv
GRK: οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς πρότερον ὑπὲρ τῶν
KJV: sacrifice, first for
INT: the high priests first for the

Hebrews 10:32 Adj-ANS
GRK: δὲ τὰς πρότερον ἡμέρας ἐν
KJV: call to remembrance the former days,
INT: moreover the former days in

1 Peter 1:14 Adj-ANS
GRK: συσχηματιζόμενοι ταῖς πρότερον ἐν τῇ
KJV: fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts
INT: fashioning yourselves to the former in the

Strong's Greek 4386
11 Occurrences

προτέραν — 1 Occ.
πρότερον — 10 Occ.