← G4333 G4335 →

προσέρχομαι

prosérchomai

G4334 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To come or go toward, approach. In its primary sense, προσέρχομαι denotes the physical action of moving toward someone or something. In broader contexts, it extends to mean approaching in a social, legal, rhetorical, or religious sense, such as presenting oneself before a person, joining or aligning with a group, or (especially in religious texts) drawing near to a deity or a sacred place in the sense of engaging in worship or ritual activity. The word emphasizes intentionality or purposeful movement toward someone or something.

Semantic Range

to come toward, approach, draw near (physically), present oneself (socially or legally), draw near (religiously/spiritually), engage in worship, assent or join

Root / Etymology

From πρός (toward, to) and ἔρχομαι (to come, to go). Formed by composition, indicating motion or direction toward a place, person, or object.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Classically, προσέρχομαι was used of both literal movement (approaching a person, entering a place) and figurative senses. In the Septuagint, it frequently translates Hebrew verbs denoting drawing near, especially in ritual or legal contexts (e.g., approaching the altar, or a judge). In the New Testament, it is often used for coming near to Jesus or God, both literally (people physically approaching Jesus) and metaphorically (approaching God in faith, worship, or prayer). This metaphorical sense is especially prominent in Hebrews, which often uses προσέρχομαι for drawing near to God in a soteriological or liturgical sense. The term can thus indicate not only physical proximity but also relational, legal, or religious engagement. English translations often use 'come,' 'draw near,' or 'approach,' but may overlook the social or ritual nuance present in certain contexts. Compare with προσεύχομαι (to pray), which always refers to prayer, while προσέρχομαι is broader and can encompass physical, social, or spiritual approach.

Translation Consistency

primary "approach" 48 occurrences

Prosérchomai’s primary sense is purposeful movement or coming toward someone or something (physical, social, legal, or religious). “Approach” is a single, natural English verb that covers physical drawing near, presenting oneself, and figurative/ritual coming near, making it the best consistent choice for all forms.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"drawing near" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πρός and ἔρχομαι (including its alternate); to approach, i.e. (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to:--(as soon as he) come (unto), come thereunto, consent, draw near, go (near, to, unto).

Root Family

προσ-ἐρχ- (prosérchomai) — to come, to go, to approach

Root προσ-ἐρχ- to come, to go, to approach

Word Forms

18 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4334-05 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG came having approached having approached 41
G4334-06 προσελθόντες proselthontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL came having approached having approached 18
G4334-04 προσῆλθεν proselthen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG came he approached he approached 7
G4334-01 προσεληλύθατε proseleluthate V PRF ACT IND 2P PL have you come you have approached you have approached 2
G4334-03 πρόσελθε proselthe V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG came Come toward Approach 2
G4334-08 προσελθοῦσα proselthousa V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG came up having approached having approached 2
G4334-12 προσερχόμενοι proserchomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL coming those approaching those approaching 2
G4334-14 προσερχομένου proserchomenou V PRS MID PTCP GEN M SG approaching of the one drawing near of the one approaching 2
G4334-15 προσερχομένους proserchomenous V PRS MID PTCP ACC M PL comers those drawing near those approaching 2
G4334-16 προσερχώμεθα proserchometha V PRS MID SUBJ 1P PL let us draw near let us approach let us approach 2

Occurrences in Scripture

89 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4334-05 Matthew 4:3 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having approached having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 4:11 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 5:1 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 8:2 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG came having approached having approached
G4334-04 Matthew 8:5 προσῆλθεν proselthen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG came he approached he approached
G4334-05 Matthew 8:19 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG came having approached having approached
G4334-06 Matthew 8:25 προσελθόντες proselthontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL came to him having approached having approached
G4334-17 Matthew 9:14 προσέρχονται proserchontai V PRS MID IND 3P PL came they are drawing near they are drawing near
G4334-05 Matthew 9:18 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG came having approached having approached
G4334-08 Matthew 9:20 προσελθοῦσα proselthousa V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG came up having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 9:28 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-06 Matthew 13:10 προσελθόντες proselthontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL came having approached having approached
G4334-06 Matthew 13:27 προσελθόντες proselthontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 13:36 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-06 Matthew 14:12 προσελθόντες proselthontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 14:15 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-17 Matthew 15:1 προσέρχονται proserchontai V PRS MID IND 3P PL came they are drawing near they are drawing near
G4334-06 Matthew 15:12 προσελθόντες proselthontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL came having approached having approached
G4334-06 Matthew 15:23 προσελθόντες proselthontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 15:30 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-06 Matthew 16:1 προσελθόντες proselthontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL came having approached having approached
G4334-04 Matthew 17:7 προσῆλθεν proselthen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG came he approached he approached
G4334-04 Matthew 17:14 προσῆλθεν proselthen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG came up he approached he approached
G4334-06 Matthew 17:19 προσελθόντες proselthontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 17:24 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 18:1 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 18:21 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 19:3 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 19:16 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG came having approached having approached
G4334-04 Matthew 20:20 προσῆλθεν proselthen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG came he approached he approached
G4334-05 Matthew 21:14 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 21:23 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 21:28 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having come having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 21:30 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having approached having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 22:23 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 24:1 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came up having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 24:3 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 25:20 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having come having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 25:22 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG Having come having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 25:24 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having approached having approached having approached
G4334-04 Matthew 26:7 προσῆλθεν proselthen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG came he approached he approached
G4334-05 Matthew 26:17 προσῆλθον proselthon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 26:39 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG he went having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 26:49 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having approached having approached having approached
G4334-06 Matthew 26:50 προσελθόντες proselthontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL having approached having approached having approached
G4334-07 Matthew 26:60 προσελθόντων proselthonton V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M PL coming forward of those having approached of those having approached
G4334-06 Matthew 26:60 προσελθόντες proselthontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL came forward having approached having approached
G4334-04 Matthew 26:69 προσῆλθεν proselthen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG came he approached approached
G4334-06 Matthew 26:73 προσελθόντες proselthontes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL came having approached having approached
G4334-05 Matthew 27:58 προσελθὼν proselthon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG went having approached having approached
← G4333 Greek Lexicon G4335 →