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πρωΐ

prōḯ

G4404 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

At dawn, referring to the early part of the morning, specifically the period around sunrise. Frequently denotes the time just before or as daylight appears, often marking the beginning of activities or significant events. In some contexts, used more generally for early morning hours or, by extension, the time associated with the first watch of the day.

Semantic Range

at dawn, at daybreak, in the early morning, at the beginning of morning activities, during the early watch of the day

Root / Etymology

From the preposition πρό (before, earlier), with a temporal force; formed as a temporal adverb indicating 'the time before [the main part of the day]'. The suffix -ΐ gives an adverbial sense of occasion or time.

Historical & Contextual Notes

πρωΐ is attested in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, used in both secular and religious contexts. It commonly refers to the time at or near sunrise, and in military or civil settings, can reference the first watch of the day or shifts beginning at dawn (cf. Mark 13:35, where 'morning' is one of the night watches). In classical Greek, similar forms (e.g., πρωί) also denote the start of the day. In the New Testament and Septuagint, πρωΐ often marks the timing of significant events (e.g., visits to tombs, gatherings, or travel). English translations like 'early in the morning' or simply 'morning' capture the basic sense but may not always reflect the specific focus on dawn or the watch system present in the Greek term. The word is distinct from ἕως ἡμέρας ('until [full] day'), and carries a more precise temporal reference than more general terms for morning (πρωΐα, ὄρθρος).

Translation Consistency

primary "dawn" 12 occurrences

Most frequent and most precise rendering in the SILEX range (7 of 12 occurrences). 'Dawn' naturally conveys the time-of-day sense ('at dawn', 'at daybreak') and comfortably covers 'early morning' and the early watch usages. It is short, natural English, and will read smoothly in consistent renderings.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

adverb from πρό; at dawn; by implication, the day-break watch:--early (in the morning), (in the) morning.

Root Family

πρω- (prōḯ) — first, before, early

Root πρω- first, before, early
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4405 πρωΐα of early morning
G4406 πρώϊμος the early-season rain

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4404-01 πρωΐ proi ADV early at dawn at dawn 12

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4404-01 Matthew 16:3 πρωΐ proi ADV in the morning at dawn at dawn
G4404-01 Matthew 20:1 πρωῒ proi ADV early in the morning at dawn at dawn
G4404-01 Matthew 21:18 πρωῒ proi ADV early-in-the-morning at dawn at dawn
G4404-01 Mark 1:35 πρωῒ proi ADV early at dawn at dawn
G4404-01 Mark 11:20 πρωῒ proi ADV in the morning at dawn at dawn
G4404-01 Mark 13:35 πρωΐ proi ADV in the morning at dawn at dawn
G4404-01 Mark 15:1 πρωῒ proi ADV morning at dawn at dawn
G4404-01 Mark 16:2 πρωῒ proi ADV early at dawn at dawn
G4404-01 Mark 16:9 πρωῒ proi ADV early at dawn at dawn
G4404-01 John 18:28 πρωΐ proi ADV early at dawn at dawn
G4404-01 John 20:1 πρωῒ proi ADV early at dawn at dawn
G4404-01 Acts 28:23 πρωῒ proi ADV morning at dawn at dawn
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