Brief Overview of προγινώσκω (Strong’s G4267: proginōskō)

Strong’s G4267: A compound verb meaning “to know beforehand” or “to know previously,” combining πρό (before) with γινώσκω (to know). In New Testament usage, it describes both human previous knowledge and divine foreknowledge, carrying significant theological weight in discussions of God’s sovereign purpose.

U- Unveiling the Word

προγινώσκω represents both human prior knowledge and divine foreknowledge. In Acts 26:5, it describes human previous knowledge, while in Romans 8:29 and 1 Peter 1:20, it expresses divine foreknowledge. Early church writers developed this concept extensively in discussions of predestination and God’s sovereign purposes. Today, this word continues to inform theological understanding of God’s foreknowledge and its relationship to human responsibility.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προγινώσκω, proginōskō, pro-gi-NO-sko
• Detailed Pronunciation: pro (as in ‘protein’) + gi (as in ‘give’) + NO (stressed) + sko (as in ‘scope’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Prefix: πρό- (pro-) meaning “before”
• Root: γινώσκω (ginōskō) meaning “to know”
• The combination creates “to know beforehand”

D – Defining Meanings

• To know beforehand
• To foreknow
• To know previously
• To have prior knowledge

For compound words:
πρό- adds temporal priority to γινώσκω’s cognitive meaning, creating the concept of advance knowledge.

Translation Options:

1. To foreknow – Best for divine contexts
2. To know previously – Better for human contexts
3. To have prior knowledge – More formal option

E – Exploring Similar Words

• προοράω (prooraō) [pro-or-AH-o] – to see beforehand
• πρόγνωσις (prognōsis) [PROG-no-sis] – foreknowledge, the noun form
• See G4267

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προγινώσκω shows:

• Tense: Present, Perfect, Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative, Participle
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Continuous (Present), Complete (Perfect)

Examples:

• Present: προγινώσκω (I foreknow)
• Perfect: προέγνωκα (I have foreknown)
• Participle: προγινώσκοντες (knowing beforehand)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG distinguishes between human and divine usage. Thayer’s emphasizes its theological significance. LSJ documents its secular usage. Vine’s highlights its importance in predestination contexts. Moulton and Milligan show its use in legal contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“They have [προγινώσκω] known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.” Acts 26:5

Additional References:
Romans 8:29, Romans 11:2, 1 Peter 1:20, 2 Peter 3:17

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

προγινώσκω reveals the profound truth that God’s knowledge of His people precedes their existence. It proclaims the good news that King Jesus’s redemptive work wasn’t a reaction but part of God’s eternal plan. This word assures us that our salvation rests not on human initiative but on divine foreknowledge and purpose.

D – Did You Know?

1. Ancient Greek philosophers used this term in discussions of fate.
2. Early Christian debates about free will often centered on this word.
3. It influenced development of theological vocabulary about predestination.

Strong’s G4267: A compound verb meaning “to know beforehand” or “to know previously,” combining πρό (before) with γινώσκω (to know). In New Testament usage, it describes both human previous knowledge and divine foreknowledge, carrying significant theological weight in discussions of God’s sovereign purpose.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: foreknowledge, divine knowledge, predestination, sovereignty, God’s plan, prior knowledge, salvation, election, Romans, theological terms, biblical keywords​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​