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πρῶτος

prōtos

G4413 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Principal, preceding all others in a sequence or rank. In its primary sense, πρῶτος designates one who or that which comes before others in time (earliest), position (at the head of a list), status (most important or preeminent), or value (foremost, distinguished). The word is used in a range of contexts for 'first' numerically or chronologically, but can also denote primacy in status or significance, including 'leading,' 'chief,' or 'preeminent.'

Semantic Range

first in time, first in order, foremost in rank, leading or chief, most important, earliest, beginning of a series, highest in distinction or quality

Root / Etymology

From the stem πρωτ-, formed as the superlative of πρό ('before, earlier'), itself from the Proto-Indo-European root *per- ('before, ahead'). The suffix -τος marks the superlative in Greek adjectives. Cognate with Latin prīmus ('first').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πρῶτος already carried the sense of 'first' in both chronological and ranking contexts, attested from Homer onwards. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, the word's range remained broad: it could describe the first in a physical sequence, the earliest in time (e.g., 'the first day'), or one who held preeminent social or institutional status (e.g., 'the chief ruler' or 'the foremost among disciples'). In the Septuagint, πρῶτος often translates Hebrew terms like רִאשׁוֹן (rishon, 'first'). In New Testament texts, the nuance can shift between literal order (e.g., 'the first day of the week') and metaphorical eminence (e.g., 'the greatest' or 'the most important'). English renderings such as 'first,' 'chief,' or 'foremost' capture these nuances, but may miss instances where the sense includes both chronological precedence and primacy of honor. In lists and titles, πρῶτος can signal a position of leadership or special distinction within a group. Unlike words such as ἀρχή ('beginning,' 'ruler'), πρῶτος consistently directs attention to order, prominence, or superiority rather than foundational origin alone.

Translation Consistency

primary "first" 99 occurrences

Most natural and frequently used rendering in the SILEX examples (63 of 99). 'First' covers numeric/chronological senses as well as preeminence or rank, is simple and idiomatic English, and will provide consistent, natural translations for every form of πρῶτος.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

contracted superlative of πρό; foremost (in time, place, order or importance):--before, beginning, best, chief(-est), first (of all), former.

Root Family

πρῶτος (prōtos) — first, foremost, preeminent, principal

Root πρωτ- first, foremost, preeminent, principal
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G44165 the foremost one (masculine singular)

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4413-09 πρῶτος protos ADJ.P NOM M SG first the foremost one the first one 31
G4413-02 πρώτη prote DET NOM F SG first first (feminine singular) first 19
G4413-08 πρώτων proton ADJ.S GEN N PL first first first 15
G4413-06 πρῶτοι protoi ADJ.S NOM M PL first the foremost ones the first ones 11
G4413-03 πρώτην proten DET ACC F SG first first (feminine singular accusative) first 6
G4413-04 πρώτης protes ADJ.S GEN F SG first of the first first 4
G4413-05 πρώτῳ proto ADJ.S DAT N SG first to the foremost to the first 4
G4413-11 πρώτους protous ADJ.S ACC M PL chief the foremost ones the first ones 3
G4413-01 πρῶτα prota DET ACC N PL first first things first things 2
G4413-10 πρώτου protou ADJ.S GEN M SG first of the first of the first 2

Occurrences in Scripture

99 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4413-09 Matthew 10:2 πρῶτος protos ADJ.P NOM M SG first the foremost one the first one
G4413-08 Matthew 12:45 πρώτων proton ADJ.S GEN N PL first first first
G4413-08 Matthew 17:27 πρῶτον proton DET ACC M SG first first first
G4413-06 Matthew 19:30 πρῶτοι protoi ADJ.S NOM M PL first the foremost ones the first ones
G4413-06 Matthew 19:30 πρῶτοι protoi-2 ADJ.P NOM M PL first the foremost ones the first ones
G4413-08 Matthew 20:8 πρώτων proton ADJ.S GEN M PL first first first
G4413-06 Matthew 20:10 πρῶτοι protoi ADJ.S NOM M PL first the foremost ones the first ones
G4413-06 Matthew 20:16 πρῶτοι protoi ADJ.P NOM M PL first the foremost ones the first ones
G4413-06 Matthew 20:16 πρῶτοι protoi-2 ADJ.S NOM M PL first the foremost ones the first ones
G4413-09 Matthew 20:27 πρῶτος protos ADJ.P NOM M SG first the foremost one the first one
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