προβλέπω
problépō
G4265 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To look ahead, to observe or foresee in advance. The term denotes the act of anticipating or making provisions before a situation arises, with a focus on advance care or action based on foresight. In contexts, it can mean to provide, supply, or care for ahead of time or to foresee a need and respond before an event occurs.
Semantic Range
to look out beforehand, to observe in advance, to foresee, to provide in advance, to make provision ahead of time
Root / Etymology
From the preposition πρό (before, in advance) and the verb βλέπω (to see, to look). The composition indicates an act of seeing or perceiving in advance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
προβλέπω is a rare verb in Koine Greek, not widely attested in classical sources, but used in later Greek with the sense of anticipating a need and acting accordingly. In the New Testament (e.g., Hebrews 11:40), it carries the nuance of provision made prior to an event, based on advance awareness. The standard English translation 'provide' may obscure the anticipatory aspect inherent in the compound's meaning. Related terms such as προνοέω (to take thought for, to take care) also carry notions of foresight, but προβλέπω emphasizes visual or perceptual anticipation rather than intellectual planning. The LXX uses the root βλέπω primarily for literal seeing; the compound form emphasizes temporal or situational priority.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πρό and βλέπω; to look out beforehand, i.e. furnish in advance:--provide.
Root Family
βλέπ- (diablépō) — to see, to look
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1227 | διαβλέπω | you will see through |
| G1689 | ἐμβλέπω | having fixed his gaze |
| G308 | ἀναβλέπω | they look up |
| G309 | ἀνάβλεψις | restoration of sight |
| G4017 | περιβλέπω | having looked around themselves |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4265-01 |
προβλεψαμένου | problepsamenou | V AOR MID PTCP GEN M SG |
had provided | of having foreseen for himself | having provided in advance | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4265-01 |
Hebrews 11:40 | προβλεψαμένου | problepsamenou | V AOR MID PTCP GEN M SG |
had provided | of having foreseen for himself | having provided in advance |