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πρότερος

próteros

G4387 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Comparative form meaning 'earlier, former, previous'—denoting something occurring or existing before another in time or sequence. The core sense is relative temporal priority, referring to what precedes another event, time, or entity. In various contexts, it can reference earlier parts of a discourse, previous times or conditions, or someone/something previously mentioned or encountered.

Semantic Range

earlier, former, previous, prior, preceding, before (in time or sequence), previously mentioned

Root / Etymology

Comparative form of πρό ('before, earlier'). Formed by adding the comparative suffix -τερος to the preposition πρό.

Historical & Contextual Notes

πρότερος, as the comparative of πρό, is attested already in classical Greek, maintaining a consistent sense throughout the period: 'earlier' or 'former' in a strictly comparative and temporal sense. The term is typically used to distinguish between two or more items, marking one as prior in order or sequence. In Koine Greek, including the New Testament and Septuagint, πρότερος functions both for linear time sequences ('former times,' 'previous covenants') and relative positioning in narrative or argument. English translations often render it as 'former' or 'previous,' though these terms may not always convey the specific comparative force inherent in the original. When opposed to ὕστερος ('later, subsequent'), πρότερος marks priority or precedent, not simply pastness.

Translation Consistency

primary "earlier" 7 occurrences

πρότερος is a comparative meaning ‘before’ or ‘prior’ in time or sequence. “earlier” is the most common, natural English rendering (and appears most often in the P2 data), fits adjectival/adverbial contexts better than the adverb “formerly,” and preserves the relative temporal sense consistently across all forms.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"former" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

comparative of πρό; prior or previous:--former.

Root Family

πρότερος (proteros) — before, earlier, former, prior

Root προ- before, earlier

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4387-02 πρότερον proteron ADJ.S ACC N SG before earlier earlier 7
G4387-01 προτέραν proteran ADJ.A ACC F SG COMP former earlier former 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4387-02 John 6:62 πρότερον proteron ADJ.S ACC N SG before earlier earlier
G4387-02 John 7:50 πρότερον proteron ADJ.S ACC N SG before earlier earlier
G4387-02 John 9:8 πρότερον proteron ADJ.S ACC N SG before earlier earlier
G4387-02 Galatians 4:13 πρότερον proteron ADJ.S ACC N SG formerly earlier earlier
G4387-01 Ephesians 4:22 προτέραν proteran ADJ.A ACC F SG COMP former earlier former
G4387-02 1 Timothy 1:13 πρότερον proteron ADJ.S ACC N SG formerly earlier earlier
G4387-02 Hebrews 10:32 πρότερον proteron ADJ.S ACC N SG former earlier earlier
G4387-02 1 Peter 1:14 πρότερον proteron ADJ.S ACC N SG former earlier earlier
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