προπέμπω
propémpō
G4311 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To send forth, to accompany or provide assistance for a person going on a journey. In its primary use, refers to the act of sending someone ahead or along on their way, often with the implication of giving aid, provision, or escort during departure. In extended contexts, can denote providing resources, support, or protective accompaniment to someone being dispatched or departing.
Semantic Range
to send forward, to escort or accompany (on a journey), to provide travel support or provisions, to conduct forth ceremonially or honorably, to assist in departing
Root / Etymology
From πρό (before, ahead) + πέμπω (to send); literally, 'to send forward/ahead.' The sense develops naturally from the simple meaning of sending, with πρό indicating the act relates to the beginning of a journey or departure.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, προπέμπω commonly meant to send someone ahead, or to accompany and give a ceremonial send-off, including provision of resources or supporters. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, especially in the New Testament (e.g. Acts 15:3; Romans 15:24; 1 Corinthians 16:6, 11; 2 Corinthians 1:16; Titus 3:13; 3 John 6), it often describes the act of a community or host aiding travelers, missionaries, or envoys, both through physical accompaniment and by supplying necessary provisions for their journey. This 'sending forth' sometimes carried an element of honor or public endorsement. While English translations may render it simply as 'send,' 'accompany,' or 'help on one's way,' the Greek includes both the act of dispatching and practical/material assistance. The nuance may be missed in some English translations. The term does not suggest merely a formal release, but active involvement in ensuring the safe and well-equipped departure of the person or group, distinguishing προπέμπω from simply πέμπω (to send) or ἀποστέλλω (to dispatch formally).
Translation Consistency
'Send' is the natural, broad English equivalent of προπέμπω, covering the primary sense ‘send forward’ and idiomatic uses like ‘send on (one’s) way’ or ‘send off’ while allowing accompanying nuances (escort, provide for) to be expressed by context or added words. It is common, simple, and fits typical NT usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πρό and πέμπω; to send forward, i.e. escort or aid in travel:--accompany, bring (forward) on journey (way), conduct forth.
Root Family
προπέμπω (propempō) — to send ahead, to escort, to aid departure
Word Forms
8 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4311-02 |
προπεμφθῆναι | propemphthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to be helped on my way | to be escorted onward | to be sent onward | 2 |
G4311-01 |
προέπεμπον | proepempon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
they accompanied | they were sending ahead | they were sending ahead | 1 |
G4311-03 |
προπεμφθέντες | propemphthentes | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
being sent on their way | having been escorted ahead | having been escorted ahead | 1 |
G4311-08 |
πρόπεμψον | propempson | V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG |
help | Send ahead! | send ahead | 1 |
G4311-05 |
προπέμψας | propempsas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
to send forward | having escorted forth | having escorted forth | 1 |
G4311-06 |
προπέμψατε | propempsate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
send | Send ahead | send ahead | 1 |
G4311-07 |
προπέμψητε | propempsete | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
may send ... on my way | you may send ahead | you may send ahead | 1 |
G4311-04 |
προπεμπόντων | propemponton | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL |
accompanying | of those escorting ahead | of those escorting us ahead | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4311-03 |
Acts 15:3 | προπεμφθέντες | propemphthentes | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
being sent on their way | having been escorted ahead | having been escorted ahead |
G4311-01 |
Acts 20:38 | προέπεμπον | proepempon | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
they accompanied | they were sending ahead | they were sending ahead |
G4311-04 |
Acts 21:5 | προπεμπόντων | propemponton | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL |
accompanying | of those escorting ahead | of those escorting us ahead |
G4311-02 |
Romans 15:24 | προπεμφθῆναι | propemphthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to be helped on my way | to be escorted onward | to be sent onward |
G4311-07 |
1 Corinthians 16:6 | προπέμψητε | propempsete | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
may send ... on my way | you may send ahead | you may send ahead |
G4311-06 |
1 Corinthians 16:11 | προπέμψατε | propempsate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
send | Send ahead | send ahead |
G4311-02 |
2 Corinthians 1:16 | προπεμφθῆναι | propemphthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to be sent forward | to be escorted onward | to be sent onward |
G4311-08 |
Titus 3:13 | πρόπεμψον | propempson | V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG |
help | Send ahead! | send ahead |
G4311-05 |
3 John 1:6 | προπέμψας | propempsas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
to send forward | having escorted forth | having escorted forth |