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προχειρίζομαι

procheirízomai

G4400 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To appoint or designate in advance, especially by public proclamation or declaration; in figurative or extended contexts, to purpose, determine, or select beforehand for a specific role or function. The primary sense involves a formal or deliberate selection, often with the sense of setting apart someone or something for a future task or office.

Semantic Range

to appoint in advance, to nominate publicly, to designate formally, to determine or select for a purpose, to make a prior decision or choice

Root / Etymology

From πρό (before, in advance) and χειρ (hand), through the verb χειρίζω ('to handle' or 'to manage'). Thus, literally 'to take in hand beforehand' or 'to handle in advance.' The construction is middle voice, focusing on one's own action or concern in the appointing.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic usage, the verb is rare, but its cognates χειρίζω ('to handle') and the noun χείρ ('hand') are common. In the context of the New Testament and related literature, προχειρίζομαι occurs primarily in contexts of appointment to office or special function, with an emphasis on a prior formal or public designation. Notably, in Acts (6:3; 22:10; 26:16), it describes individuals being designated or chosen by a group or divine agency for a particular purpose or responsibility. Standard English translations often render with 'choose', 'appoint', or 'designate', but may overlook the nuance of advance, formal nomination and the performative or public aspect of the process. In the LXX, the verb is extremely rare, and when used, it typically maintains the formal appointment sense. The term is distinct from more general words for choosing or selecting (such as ἐκλέγομαι), as it carries an overtone of public, official, or ceremonial designation that prepares an individual for a coming task or office.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

middle voice from πρό and a derivative of χείρ; to handle for oneself in advance, i.e. (figuratively) to purpose:--choose, make.

Root Family

χειρ- (epicheiréō) — hand, take in hand, undertake, attempt

Root χειρ- to handle, to appoint, to manage
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2021 ἐπιχειρέω they undertook
G5501 χείρων of worse ones

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4400-01 προχειρίσασθαί procheirisasthai V AOR MID INF to appoint to appoint beforehand for oneself to appoint beforehand for oneself 1
G4400-02 προεχειρίσατό proecheirisato V AOR MID IND 3P SG has appointed appointed beforehand for himself appointed beforehand for himself 1
G4400-03 προκεχειρισμένον prokecheirismenon V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M SG appointed having been appointed beforehand having been appointed beforehand 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4400-03 Acts 3:20 προκεχειρισμένον prokecheirismenon V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M SG appointed having been appointed beforehand having been appointed beforehand
G4400-02 Acts 22:14 προεχειρίσατό proecheirisato V AOR MID IND 3P SG has appointed appointed beforehand for himself appointed beforehand for himself
G4400-01 Acts 26:16 προχειρίσασθαί procheirisasthai V AOR MID INF to appoint to appoint beforehand for oneself to appoint beforehand for oneself
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