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προφητεύω

prophēteúō

G4395 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To speak or proclaim as a prophet, to deliver a message or revelation believed to be divinely inspired. The verb encompasses proclaiming inspired declarations, interpreting or announcing what is thought to be a divine message, and, in some contexts, predicting future events. It commonly refers to the exercise of a prophetic office or role, including both inspired speech and admonition.

Semantic Range

to deliver a divine message, to proclaim inspired speech, to function in a prophetic role, to predict or foretell events, to exhort or edify under inspiration

Root / Etymology

Derived from προφήτης (prophētēs, 'prophet'), from πρό ('before, in front of') + φημί ('to speak'), thus, 'one who speaks before/in place of (the deity/others)'. Thus, προφητεύω means 'to act or function as a prophet.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, προφητεύω is rare and primarily means 'to function as a spokesperson' or 'to interpret oracles.' In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, it most often refers to proclaiming messages understood as inspired by God. While 'to prophesy' in English often implies foretelling the future, the Greek term includes a broader range of activities: giving exhortations, offering encouragement (cf. 1 Cor 14), and communicating revelations in a communal setting. In Jewish and early Christian contexts, προφητεύω could occur during worship or assembly, usually with the sense of conveying a message from God, not limited to foretelling. Modern translation as 'prophesy' can be misleadingly narrow. The verb is used for both men and women engaged in inspired speech (Acts 21:9). Contrast with terms for general preaching or teaching (e.g. διδάσκω); προφητεύω always has the sense of conveying a message believed to be of divine or supernatural origin.

Translation Consistency

primary "prophesy" 18 occurrences

Prophesy best matches the SILEX range (deliver a divine message, proclaim inspired speech, act in a prophetic role, and predict future events) and was the majority rendering in the P2 data (forms like prophesied/prophesying). It preserves the specifically prophetic sense better than a generic verb like "speak," while remaining natural English for all inflected forms.

Alternatives (10 occurrences):
"prophesied" (7x) "proclaiming as prophets" (1x) "speak as prophets" (1x) "having prophesied" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from προφήτης; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office:--prophesy.

Root Family

προφητεύω (prophēteuō) — speak forth, declare inspired message, function as a prophet

Root προφητεύ- to speak forth, to declare inspired message, to function as a prophet

Word Forms

15 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4395-04 ἐπροφήτευσεν epropheteusen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG prophesied he/she prophesied he prophesied 5
G4395-08 προφητεύων propheteuon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG prophesying proclaiming as a prophet the man prophesying 4
G4395-15 προφητεύσουσιν propheteusousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL they shall prophesy they will speak as prophets they will prophesy 3
G4395-14 προφήτευσον propheteuson V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG Prophesy Speak as a prophet Prophesy! 3
G4395-05 προφητεύειν propheteuein V PRS ACT INF prophesy to speak as a prophet to prophesy 2
G4395-06 προφητεύητε propheteuete V PRS ACT SUBJ 2P PL you might prophesy you may be prophesying you may be prophesying 2
G4395-01 ἐπροφήτευον epropheteuon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL prophesied they were prophesying they were prophesying 1
G4395-11 προφητεύουσαι propheteuousai V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F PL who prophesied prophesying (women) prophesying 1
G4395-07 προφητεύομεν propheteuomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL we prophesy we are proclaiming as prophets we are proclaiming as prophets 1
G4395-03 ἐπροφήτευσαν epropheteusan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL prophesied they prophesied they prophesied 1

Occurrences in Scripture

28 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4395-02 Matthew 7:22 ἐπροφητεύσαμεν epropheteusamen V AOR ACT IND 1P PL prophesy we prophesied we prophesied
G4395-03 Matthew 11:13 ἐπροφήτευσαν epropheteusan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL prophesied they prophesied they prophesied
G4395-04 Matthew 15:7 ἐπροφήτευσεν epropheteusen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG did prophesy he/she prophesied he prophesied
G4395-14 Matthew 26:68 προφήτευσον propheteuson V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG Prophesy Speak as a prophet Prophesy!
G4395-04 Mark 7:6 ἐπροφήτευσεν epropheteusen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG prophesied he/she prophesied he prophesied
G4395-14 Mark 14:65 προφήτευσον propheteuson V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG Prophesy! Speak as a prophet Prophesy!
G4395-04 Luke 1:67 ἐπροφήτευσεν epropheteusen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG prophesied he/she prophesied he prophesied
G4395-14 Luke 22:64 προφήτευσον propheteuson V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG Prophesy Speak as a prophet Prophesy!
G4395-04 John 11:51 ἐπροφήτευσεν epropheteusen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG prophesied he/she prophesied he prophesied
G4395-15 Acts 2:17 προφητεύσουσιν propheteusousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL will prophesy they will speak as prophets they will prophesy
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