4395. prophéteuó

Lexical Summary

prophéteuó: To prophesy, to speak forth by divine inspiration, to predict

Original Word: προφητεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: prophéteuó
Pronunciation: prof-ay-tyoo'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (prof-ate-yoo'-o)
KJV: prophesy
NASB: prophesy, prophesied, prophesies, prophesying, prophetesses
Word Origin: [from G4396 (προφήτης - prophets)]

1. to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

prophesy.

From prophetes; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office -- prophesy.

see GREEK prophetes

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 4395 prophēteúō (from 4253 /pró, "before" and 5346 /phēmí, "assert by elevating one statement over another") – properly, "speak forth" in divinely-empowered forthtelling or foretelling; prophesy.

In the NT, prophesy (4395 /prophēteúō) occurs 28 times, usually of forthtelling which reveals the mind (message) of God in a particular situation. 4395 /prophēteúō ("prophesy") can also refer to foretelling, i.e. predicting the future as the Lord reveals it.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from prophétés
Definition
to foretell, tell forth, prophesy
NASB Translation
prophesied (5), prophesies (3), prophesy (16), prophesying (3), prophetesses (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4395: προφητεύω

προφητεύω; future προφητεύσω; imperfect προεφήτευον (Acts 19:6 R G) and ἐπροφήτευον (ibid. L T Tr WH; (1 Kings 22:12); Jer. (); ); 1 aorist προεφήτευσα (R G in Matthew 7:22; Matthew 11:13; Matthew 15:7; Mark 7:6; Luke 1:67; (John 11:51; Jude 1:14)) and ἐπροφήτευσα (which form codex Sinaiticus gives everywhere, and T Tr WH have everywhere restored, and Lachmann also with the single exception of Jude 1:14; add, Sir. 48:13; 1 Esdr. 6:1; Jeremiah 33:9, 11, 20; Jeremiah 26:9, 11, 20; Jeremiah 35:8 (); (); the Alexandrian translators more common use the forms προεφήτευον, προεφήτευσα, perfect participle προπεφητευκως, Eus. h. e. 5, 17; perfect passive infinitive προπεφητευσθαι, Clement of Alexandria, strom., p. 603; on the forms used by Justin Martyr, see Otto's prolegomena to his works, I. i., p. lxxv, edition 3; cf. (WH. Justin Martyr, see Otto's prolegomena to his works, I. i., p. cxxv, edition 3; cf. (WHs Appendix, p. 162; Veitch, under the word); Winers Grammar, § 12, 5; (Buttmann, 35 (30f)); cf. Fritzsche on Mark, p. 268; (Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word)); (προφήτης, which see); the Sept. for נִבָּא and הִתְנַבֵּא; Vulg.propheto (three timesprophetizo); to prophesy, i. e. to be a prophet, speak forth by divine inspiration; to predict (Herodotus, Pindar, Euripides, Plato, Plutarch, others);

a. universally, Matthew 7:22.

b. with the idea of foretelling future events pertaining especially to the kingdom of God: Matthew 11:13; Acts 2:17, 18; Acts 21:9; περί τίνος, Matthew 15:7; Mark 7:6; 1 Peter 1:10; ἐπί τίνι, over i. e. concerning one (see ἐπί, B. 2 f. β'., p. 234a), Revelation 10:11; εἰς τινα (i. e. Christ), the Epistle of Barnabas 5, 6 [ET]; προφητεύειν followed by λέγων, with the words uttered by the prophet, Jude 1:14; followed by ὅτι, John 11:51.

c. to utter forth, declare, a thing which can only be known by divine revelation: Matthew 26:68; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:64, cf. 7:39; John 4:19.

d. to break forth under sudden impulse in lofty discourse or in praise of the divine counsels: Luke 1:67; Acts 19:6 (1 Samuel 10:10, 11; 1 Samuel 19:20, 21, etc.); — or, under the like prompting, to teach, refute, reprove, admonish, comfort others (see προφήτης, II. 1 f.), 1 Corinthians 11:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 13:9; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 3, 4, 5, 24, 31, 39.

e. to act as a prophet, discharge the prophetic office: Revelation 11:3. (On the word see Trench, N. T. Synonyms, § vi.)

Topical Lexicon

Summary of Biblical Usage

The verb behind Strong’s Greek 4395 appears twenty-eight times in the Greek New Testament. The range of contexts is broad: pronouncements by inspired speakers (Luke 1:67), Spirit-filled utterance in congregational worship (1 Corinthians 14:1-39), Old Testament predictions recalled (Matthew 11:13), mockery of Christ (Matthew 26:68), sovereign declarations through unlikely instruments (John 11:51), and end-time witness (Revelation 11:3). Together these texts present prophesying as Spirit-prompted speech that reveals, interprets, or applies God’s will.

Continuity with Old Testament Prophecy

Jesus affirms that “all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John” (Matthew 11:13). The New Testament thus regards earlier prophecy as authoritative Scripture, while asserting that the same divine Spirit still speaks. The Day of Pentecost signals this continuity: Peter quotes Joel, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy” (Acts 2:17), framing Christian prophecy as the fulfillment of Old Testament expectation.

Foretelling and Forthtelling

Although prediction is included (for example John 11:51; Revelation 11:3), most occurrences stress forthtelling—Spirit-empowered proclamation that exposes hearts, exhorts, and consoles. “He who prophesies speaks to men for edification, encouragement, and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3). Thus prophecy is less about timetable speculation and more about present application of divine truth.

Prophesying and the Holy Spirit

Every legitimate instance is grounded in the Spirit’s initiative. Luke records, “Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied” (Luke 1:67). Pentecost fulfills Joel: “I will pour out My Spirit…they will prophesy” (Acts 2:18). The gift list in 1 Corinthians underscores that prophecy operates “according to the measure of faith” granted by the Spirit (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:10).

Prophesying in the Ministry of Jesus

Ironically, the Gospels twice couple the word with ridicule: “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?” (Matthew 26:68; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:64). Yet Jesus Himself embodied the prophetic office, foretelling His death and resurrection and declaring the kingdom. The mockery highlights human blindness to true prophetic authority.

Congregational Prophecy in Corinth

1 Corinthians supplies the fullest treatment. Paul urges, “Pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1). Up to all believers may speak in turn: “You can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged” (1 Corinthians 14:31). Regulation (verses 29-33) protects order and doctrine, demonstrating that spontaneity is never detached from accountability.

Participation of Women

Both genders receive the gift. Philip’s four unmarried daughters “prophesied” (Acts 21:9). In Corinth “every woman who prays or prophesies” is addressed (1 Corinthians 11:5). This accords with Joel’s promise of sons and daughters prophesying, affirming the Spirit’s impartial distribution while maintaining apostolic instructions on decorum.

Prophecy as Eschatological Witness

Revelation employs the term for apostolic recommissioning: “You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations” (Revelation 10:11), and for the two witnesses who “will prophesy for 1,260 days” (Revelation 11:3). New-covenant prophecy therefore persists until the consummation, bearing testimony to Christ amid tribulation.

Sober Warnings

Not all prophetic claims are genuine. Jesus foresees professing believers who plead, “Did we not prophesy in Your name?” yet hear His rejection (Matthew 7:22-23). Discernment is essential; prophecy must align with apostolic teaching and the character of Christ.

Historical Significance

The early Church Fathers recognized the continuance of true prophecy alongside the completed canon, while rejecting heretical or extra-biblical additions. Throughout history, revivals have often been accompanied by renewed prophetic exhortation calling the Church back to Scriptural fidelity.

Ministry Application Today

Believers are still called to “excel in gifts that build up the church” (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:12). Biblically-defined prophecy functions to:
• Illuminate Scripture with fresh relevance.
• Expose sin and summon repentance.
• Strengthen suffering saints with divine promises.
• Direct corporate mission in harmony with revealed truth.

Pursued in humility, submitted to biblical testing, and exercised in love, the gift remains a vital means by which the risen Christ edifies His body and advances His kingdom.

Forms and Transliterations

επροφητευον επροφήτευον ἐπροφήτευον επροφητευσαμεν ἐπροφητεύσαμεν επροφητευσαν επροφήτευσαν ἐπροφήτευσαν επροφήτευσας επροφητευσεν ἐπροφήτευσεν προεφήτευον προεφήτευσα προεφητεύσαμεν προεφήτευσαν προεφήτευσας προεφήτευσε προεφήτευσεν προεφήτευσον προφητεύει προφητευειν προφητεύειν προφητεύεις προφητευητε προφητεύητε προφητευομεν προφητεύομεν προφητεύοντας προφητεύοντες προφητεύοντι προφητεύοντος προφητευόντων προφητευουσα προφητεύουσα προφητευουσαι προφητεύουσαι προφητευούσας προφητεύουσι προφητεύουσιν προφητευσαι προφητεύσαι προφητεῦσαι προφητεύσαντα προφητευσαντες προφητεύσαντες προφητεύσας προφητεύσει προφητεύσεις προφητεύση προφητεύσης προφητεύσητε Προφητευσον Προφήτευσον προφητευσουσιν προφητεύσουσιν προφητευων προφητεύων προφητευωσιν προφητεύωσιν epropheteuon eprophēteuon eprophḗteuon epropheteusamen epropheteúsamen eprophēteusamen eprophēteúsamen epropheteusan eprophēteusan eprophḗteusan epropheteusen eprophēteusen eprophḗteusen proepheteusen proephēteusen proephḗteusen propheteuein propheteúein prophēteuein prophēteúein propheteuete propheteúete prophēteuēte prophēteúēte propheteuomen propheteúomen prophēteuomen prophēteúomen propheteuon propheteúon prophēteuōn prophēteúōn propheteuosin propheteúosin prophēteuōsin prophēteúōsin propheteuousa propheteúousa prophēteuousa prophēteúousa propheteuousai propheteúousai prophēteuousai prophēteúousai propheteusai propheteûsai prophēteusai prophēteûsai propheteusantes propheteúsantes prophēteusantes prophēteúsantes Propheteuson Prophēteuson Prophḗteuson propheteusousin propheteúsousin prophēteusousin prophēteúsousin

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 7:22 V-AIA-1P
GRK: σῷ ὀνόματι ἐπροφητεύσαμεν καὶ τῷ
NAS: Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name,
KJV: have we not prophesied in thy name?
INT: your name did we prophesy and [in]

Matthew 11:13 V-AIA-3P
GRK: ἕως Ἰωάννου ἐπροφήτευσαν
NAS: and the Law prophesied until
KJV: and the law prophesied until John.
INT: until John prophesied

Matthew 15:7 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ὑποκριταί καλῶς ἐπροφήτευσεν περὶ ὑμῶν
NAS: rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:
KJV: did Esaias prophesy of you,
INT: Hypocrites rightly prophesied concerning you

Matthew 26:68 V-AMA-2S
GRK: λέγοντες Προφήτευσον ἡμῖν χριστέ
NAS: and said, Prophesy to us, You Christ;
KJV: Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ,
INT: saying Prophesy to us Christ

Mark 7:6 V-AIA-3S
GRK: αὐτοῖς Καλῶς ἐπροφήτευσεν Ἠσαίας περὶ
NAS: did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites,
KJV: Well hath Esaias prophesied of you
INT: to them Rightly prophesied Isaiah concerning

Mark 14:65 V-AMA-2S
GRK: λέγειν αὐτῷ Προφήτευσον καὶ οἱ
NAS: and to say to Him, Prophesy! And the officers
KJV: unto him, Prophesy: and
INT: to say to him Prophesy and the

Luke 1:67 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἁγίου καὶ ἐπροφήτευσεν λέγων
NAS: Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
KJV: Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
INT: Holy and prophesied saying

Luke 22:64 V-AMA-2S
GRK: ἐπηρώτων λέγοντες Προφήτευσον τίς ἐστιν
NAS: Him, saying, Prophesy, who
KJV: him, saying, Prophesy, who is it
INT: were asking saying Prophesy who is

John 11:51 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἐνιαυτοῦ ἐκείνου ἐπροφήτευσεν ὅτι ἔμελλεν
NAS: that year, he prophesied that Jesus
KJV: that year, he prophesied that Jesus
INT: year that prophesied that was about

Acts 2:17 V-FIA-3P
GRK: σάρκα καὶ προφητεύσουσιν οἱ υἱοὶ
NAS: AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN
KJV: daughters shall prophesy, and
INT: flesh and will prophesy the sons

Acts 2:18 V-FIA-3P
GRK: μου καὶ προφητεύσουσιν
NAS: OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy.
KJV: Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
INT: of me and they will prophesy

Acts 19:6 V-IIA-3P
GRK: γλώσσαις καὶ ἐπροφήτευον
NAS: with tongues and prophesying.
KJV: with tongues, and prophesied.
INT: with tongues and prophesying

Acts 21:9 V-PPA-NFP
GRK: τέσσαρες παρθένοι προφητεύουσαι
NAS: daughters who were prophetesses.
KJV: virgins, which did prophesy.
INT: four virgins who prophesied

1 Corinthians 11:4 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: προσευχόμενος ἢ προφητεύων κατὰ κεφαλῆς
NAS: or prophesying disgraces
KJV: or prophesying, having
INT: praying or prophesying [anything] on [his] head

1 Corinthians 11:5 V-PPA-NFS
GRK: προσευχομένη ἢ προφητεύουσα ἀκατακαλύπτῳ τῇ
NAS: or prophesying disgraces
KJV: or prophesieth with [her] head
INT: praying or prophesying revealed with the

1 Corinthians 13:9 V-PIA-1P
GRK: ἐκ μέρους προφητεύομεν
NAS: in part and we prophesy in part;
KJV: part, and we prophesy in part.
INT: in part we prophesy

1 Corinthians 14:1 V-PSA-2P
GRK: δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε
NAS: [gifts], but especially that you may prophesy.
KJV: rather that ye may prophesy.
INT: moreover that you might prophesy

1 Corinthians 14:3 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ προφητεύων ἀνθρώποις λαλεῖ
NAS: But one who prophesies speaks to men
KJV: But he that prophesieth speaketh
INT: he who however prophesies to men speaks [for]

1 Corinthians 14:4 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ προφητεύων ἐκκλησίαν οἰκοδομεῖ
NAS: himself; but one who prophesies edifies
KJV: but he that prophesieth edifieth
INT: he who however prophesies [the] church builds up

1 Corinthians 14:5 V-PSA-2P
GRK: δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε μείζων δὲ
NAS: but [even] more that you would prophesy; and greater
KJV: rather that ye prophesied: for greater
INT: however that you should prophesy greater moreover

1 Corinthians 14:5 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: δὲ ὁ προφητεύων ἢ ὁ
NAS: and greater is one who prophesies than
KJV: greater [is] he that prophesieth than
INT: moreover [is] he that prophesies than he that

1 Corinthians 14:24 V-PSA-3P
GRK: δὲ πάντες προφητεύωσιν εἰσέλθῃ δέ
NAS: all prophesy, and an unbeliever
KJV: if all prophesy, and there come in
INT: however all prophesy should come in moreover

1 Corinthians 14:31 V-PNA
GRK: ἕνα πάντες προφητεύειν ἵνα πάντες
NAS: For you can all prophesy one by one,
KJV: ye may all prophesy one by one, that
INT: one all prophesy that all

1 Corinthians 14:39 V-PNA
GRK: ζηλοῦτε τὸ προφητεύειν καὶ τὸ
NAS: desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid
KJV: covet to prophesy, and
INT: be desirous to prophesy and

1 Peter 1:10 V-APA-NMP
GRK: ὑμᾶς χάριτος προφητεύσαντες
NAS: the prophets who prophesied of the grace
KJV: who prophesied of
INT: you grace having prophesied

Strong's Greek 4395
28 Occurrences

ἐπροφήτευον — 1 Occ.
ἐπροφητεύσαμεν — 1 Occ.
ἐπροφήτευσαν — 1 Occ.
ἐπροφήτευσεν — 4 Occ.
προεφήτευσεν — 1 Occ.
προφητεύητε — 2 Occ.
προφητεύειν — 2 Occ.
προφητεύων — 4 Occ.
προφητεύωσιν — 1 Occ.
προφητεύομεν — 1 Occ.
προφητεύουσα — 1 Occ.
προφητεύουσαι — 1 Occ.
προφητεῦσαι — 1 Occ.
προφητεύσαντες — 1 Occ.
Προφήτευσον — 3 Occ.
προφητεύσουσιν — 3 Occ.