← G4308 G4310 →

προορίζω

proorízō

G4309 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To determine or designate beforehand; to decide, appoint, or fix in advance with respect to outcome, purpose, or role. In extended or figurative contexts, it refers to the concept of predetermination—i.e., setting boundaries, purposes, or destinies in advance. The sense can be judicial (to decree or assign a status before an event) or functional (to establish roles or purposes ahead of time).

Semantic Range

to determine beforehand, to appoint in advance, to mark out in advance, to predestine, to foreordain, to set a boundary or designation before events

Root / Etymology

From πρό (before) and ὁρίζω (to define, mark out, appoint). The root ὁρίζω derives from ὅρος (boundary, limit), with the sense of setting boundaries or determining. προορίζω literally means 'to mark out or determine beforehand.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb προορίζω is rarely attested in earlier Greek but becomes more common in Hellenistic and Koine usage, especially in contexts concerned with fate, divine purpose, or appointment. In the New Testament, it is typically used in theological or philosophical contexts to describe actions or outcomes considered established by a deity or authority in advance (e.g., Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:5, 1:11). While English translations often render it as 'predestine' or 'foreordain,' such renderings may carry postbiblical connotations not always implied in Koine contexts. The term does not necessarily connote determinism in the strictest philosophical sense but emphasizes prior setting or appointment. The verb ὁρίζω ('to determine, appoint'), without the prefix, can refer to general setting of boundaries or defining roles, while the prefix πρό specifies the temporal aspect—'beforehand.' Related terms include προγινώσκω ('to know beforehand') and προτάσσω ('to appoint beforehand').

Translation Consistency

primary "determine" 6 occurrences

Fits the SILEX range (decide, appoint, set in advance) while remaining natural English. It matches the majority of existing renderings ('determined' 4x), is broad enough to cover both judicial/functional senses (appoint, set purpose, foreordain) without the theological weight of 'predestine,' and can be inflected consistently across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πρό and ὁρίζω; to limit in advance, i.e. (figuratively) predetermine:--determine before, ordain, predestinate.

Root Family

προορίζω (proorizō) — to determine, to define, to mark out

Root ὁρίζω to determine, to define, to mark out

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4309-02 προώρισεν proorisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he predestined determined beforehand determined beforehand 4
G4309-01 προορίσας proorisas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having predestined having determined beforehand having determined beforehand 1
G4309-03 προορισθέντες prooristhentes V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL having been predestined having been determined beforehand having been determined beforehand 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4309-02 Acts 4:28 προώρισεν proorisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG determined determined beforehand determined beforehand
G4309-02 Romans 8:29 προώρισεν proorisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he predestined determined beforehand determined beforehand
G4309-02 Romans 8:30 προώρισεν proorisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he predestined determined beforehand he determined beforehand
G4309-02 1 Corinthians 2:7 προώρισεν proorisen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG predestined determined beforehand determined beforehand
G4309-01 Ephesians 1:5 προορίσας proorisas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having predestined having determined beforehand having determined beforehand
G4309-03 Ephesians 1:11 προορισθέντες prooristhentes V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL having been predestined having been determined beforehand having been determined beforehand
← G4308 Greek Lexicon G4310 →