προαιρέομαι
proairéomai
G4255 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To choose or decide for oneself beforehand; the primary lexical meaning is to select, determine, or resolve in advance. The semantic range includes: to prefer one thing over another, to purpose or have a settled intention, to make a prior choice (especially with deliberation).
Semantic Range
to choose beforehand, to prefer, to determine in advance, to purpose, to have a settled intention, to resolve deliberately, to make a premeditated choice
Root / Etymology
From πρό ('before, in advance') and αἱρέομαι ('to take, choose, select')—literally, 'to choose before' or 'to prefer in advance.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, προαιρέομαι retains the meaning of making a deliberate choice or preference, especially a decision made in advance of action or circumstance. Used by historians and philosophers to contrast considered (προαίρεσις) with impulsive or reactive decision-making. In Koine Greek, particularly in the New Testament (e.g., Acts 3:13, 25:16; 2 Corinthians 9:7), the term emphasizes personal resolve or settled intention, often with moral or practical deliberation. Unlike the simple αἱρέομαι, which may indicate any act of choosing, προαιρέομαι underscores the prior or anticipatory aspect of the decision. Standard translations such as "purpose" or "intend" can obscure the deliberative and preferential nuance present in the Greek. In contrast with related terms like βούλομαι (to wish, to will) or θέλω (to want) which stress desire or volition rather than prior resolution.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πρό and αἱρέομαι; to choose for oneself before another thing (prefer), i.e. (by implication) to propose (intend):--purpose.
Root Family
προαιρέομαι (proaireomai) — to prefer, to choose before, to resolve in advance
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4255-01 |
προῄρηται | proeretai | V PRF MID IND 3P SG |
he has purposed | has chosen beforehand for himself | has chosen beforehand for himself | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4255-01 |
2 Corinthians 9:7 | προῄρηται | proeretai | V PRF MID IND 3P SG |
he has purposed | has chosen beforehand for himself | has chosen beforehand for himself |