προλέγω (G4302) — Greek Lexicon

προλέγω

prolégō

G4302 verb

SILEX Entry

Root λεγ- to speak, to say, to declare

Definition

To speak in advance; to declare, mention, or announce something before a given time. The primary sense is to say beforehand, with contextual nuances that include foretelling (predicting), forewarning (making a prior statement for caution), or stating something previously (referring back to statements already made). Used both for uttering prophecy and for any advance notice or warning.

Semantic Range

to say ahead of time, to forewarn, to foretell, to previously mention, to give advance notice, to predict, to remind by prior statement

Root / Etymology

From the prepositional prefix πρό ('before', 'in advance') and λέγω ('to say', 'to speak', 'to declare').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, προλέγω could mean 'to speak before others' (e.g. to make a speech before another person), but by Koine Greek, and especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, it almost always carries the sense of 'to say beforehand,' either as a prediction, a warning, or a prior statement. In the New Testament, usage includes both prophetic foretelling (Romans 9:29) and the reminding or referencing of previous warnings or statements (2 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:4). The English tradition often translates προλέγω as 'foretell,' 'say beforehand,' or 'forewarn,' but these may not capture the breadth of use across different passages, which can range from explicitly predictive to simple prior notification. In the Septuagint, usage is limited and context-driven; extra-biblical Koine sources also favor the sense of advance notice or declaration. Not to be confused with προφητεύω, which specifically means 'to prophesy.'

Translation Consistency

primary "say" 4 occurrences

‘Say’ is the most natural, general verb that covers the full semantic range of προλέγω — to state or mention something beforehand, whether as a warning, announcement, reminder, or prophetic utterance. It is simple, common in English renditions, and will render consistently across all forms.

Alternatives (11 occurrences):

"spoken beforehand" (5x) "spoke beforehand" (2x) "speak in advance" (2x) "things having been spoken beforehand" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πρό and λέγω; to say beforehand, i.e. predict, forewarn:--foretell, tell before.

Root Family

προλέγω (prolegō) — to speak beforehand, to declare in advance, to forewarn

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4302-04`	προείρηκα	proeireka	`V PRF ACT IND 1P SG`	I have said before	I have spoken beforehand	I have spoken beforehand	4
`G4302-10`	προλέγω	prolego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	foretell	I speak in advance	I speak in advance	2
`G4302-07`	προειρημένων	proeiremenon	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN N PL`	spoken before	of the things having been spoken beforehand	of the things having been spoken beforehand	2
`G4302-01`	προείπαμεν	proeipamen	`V AOR ACT IND 1P PL`	we told	we said beforehand	we said beforehand	1
`G4302-08`	προείρηται	proeiretai	`V PRF PASS IND 3P SG`	it has been said before	it has been said beforehand	it has been said beforehand	1
`G4302-02`	προεῖπε	proeipe	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	spoke before	he spoke beforehand	he spoke beforehand	1
`G4302-06`	προείρηκεν	proeireken	`V PRF ACT IND 3P SG`	said before	has spoken beforehand	has spoken beforehand	1
`G4302-09`	προελέγομεν	proelegomen	`V IMPF ACT IND 1P PL`	we told	we were saying beforehand	we were saying beforehand	1
`G4302-03`	προεῖπον	proeipon	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I foretold	I spoke beforehand	I spoke beforehand	1
`G4302-05`	προειρήκαμεν	proeirekamen	`V PRF ACT IND 1P PL`	we have said before	we have spoken in advance	we have said before	1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4302-04`	Matthew 24:25	προείρηκα	proeireka	`V PRF ACT IND 1P SG`	I have told	I have spoken beforehand	I have spoken beforehand
`G4302-04`	Mark 13:23	προείρηκα	proeireka	`V PRF ACT IND 1P SG`	I have foretold	I have spoken beforehand	I have spoken beforehand
`G4302-02`	Acts 1:16	προεῖπε	proeipe	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	spoke before	he spoke beforehand	he spoke beforehand
`G4302-06`	Romans 9:29	προείρηκεν	proeireken	`V PRF ACT IND 3P SG`	said before	has spoken beforehand	has spoken beforehand
`G4302-04`	2 Corinthians 7:3	προείρηκα	proeireka	`V PRF ACT IND 1P SG`	I have said before	I have spoken beforehand	I have spoken beforehand
`G4302-04`	2 Corinthians 13:2	προείρηκα	proeireka	`V PRF ACT IND 1P SG`	I have said before	I have spoken beforehand	I have spoken beforehand
`G4302-10`	2 Corinthians 13:2	προλέγω	prolego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	foretell	I speak in advance	I speak in advance
`G4302-05`	Galatians 1:9	προειρήκαμεν	proeirekamen	`V PRF ACT IND 1P PL`	we have said before	we have spoken in advance	we have said before
`G4302-10`	Galatians 5:21	προλέγω	prolego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I forewarn	I speak in advance	I speak in advance
`G4302-03`	Galatians 5:21	προεῖπον	proeipon	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I foretold	I spoke beforehand	I spoke beforehand
`G4302-09`	1 Thessalonians 3:4	προελέγομεν	proelegomen	`V IMPF ACT IND 1P PL`	we told	we were saying beforehand	we were saying beforehand
`G4302-01`	1 Thessalonians 4:6	προείπαμεν	proeipamen	`V AOR ACT IND 1P PL`	we told	we said beforehand	we said beforehand
`G4302-08`	Hebrews 4:7	προείρηται	proeiretai	`V PRF PASS IND 3P SG`	it has been said before	it has been said beforehand	it has been said beforehand
`G4302-07`	2 Peter 3:2	προειρημένων	proeiremenon	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN N PL`	spoken before	of the things having been spoken beforehand	of the things having been spoken beforehand
`G4302-07`	Jude 1:17	προειρημένων	proeiremenon	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN N PL`	were spoken beforehand	of the things having been spoken beforehand	of the things having been spoken beforehand

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