προερέω
proeréō
G4280
SILEX Entry
Definition
To say in advance, utter previously, or state beforehand. In contexts, it can denote making a statement or pronouncement before others have done so, or before an event occurs, with particular use for foretelling or announcing something in advance. The core sense is 'to say earlier than, to declare beforehand', and can be used both for general prior statement and in the sense of prediction or foretelling.
Semantic Range
to say beforehand, to declare previously, to foretell, to announce in advance, to state earlier than others, to refer to a previous statement
Root / Etymology
From the prefix πρό (before, earlier) and the verb ἐρέω (to say, utter). Formed as a compound verb. Closely related to, and sometimes interchangeable with, προέπω (to say before).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, προερέω signifies any statement made previously, in advance of others or of a given event. The term can be used in formal contexts (e.g., legal testimony, public announcement), as well as in narrative to signal a statement or information provided earlier in the discourse. In the New Testament (e.g., 2 Corinthians 7:3), it often signals a prior declaration but rarely appears in the technical sense of 'prophesy' that is common with terms like προφητεύω. In the Septuagint, it maintains its sense of saying something previously or ahead of time. Standard English translations sometimes obscure the simple temporal nuance, opting for 'foretell' or 'predict', but 'to say beforehand' better captures the original use. Unlike προφητεύω, προερέω lacks a specialized prophetic sense and does not inherently convey divine inspiration or formal prediction; its primary force is temporal sequence in speech.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πρό and ἐρέω; used as alternate of προέπω; to say already, predict:--foretell, say (speak, tell) before.
Root Family
ἐρέω (proeréō) — to say, to speak, to declare
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.