Brief Overview of προοράω (Strong’s G4275: prooraō)

Strong’s G4275: From pro (before) and horaō (to see), προοράω means to see beforehand or foresee. In biblical usage, it carries theological significance regarding divine foreknowledge and prophetic insight, particularly in contexts of God’s predetermined plan of salvation.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προοράω embodies the profound concept of foreseeing or seeing beforehand. As a compound word, it combines προ (before) with ὁράω (to see), creating a term that speaks to both prophetic vision and divine foreknowledge. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts of God’s sovereign plan and prophetic insight, particularly regarding Christ’s resurrection and God’s predetermined purposes. Early church fathers employed this term to discuss God’s foreknowledge and providence. Today, it continues to illuminate our understanding of God’s sovereign oversight of history and His perfect foreknowledge of all events.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προοράω, prooraō, /pro-o-ra’ō/
• Detailed pronunciation: pro (as in “professional”) + o (as in “oh”) + ra (as in “raw”) + ō (as in “oh”)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• προ- (pro-): prefix meaning “before” or “in advance”
• ὁράω (horaō): root verb meaning “to see”
• -ω (-ō): primary verb ending

D – Defining Meanings

• To see beforehand
• To foresee
• To keep in view
• To anticipate visually

For compound words:
The prefix προ- adds the temporal aspect of “before” or “in advance” to the root verb ὁράω (to see), creating the concept of seeing something before it happens or anticipating it visually.

Translation Options:

• “foresee” – best captures the prophetic and anticipatory nature
• “see beforehand” – most literal translation emphasizing temporal aspect
• “anticipate” – useful in contexts emphasizing expectation

E – Exploring Similar Words

• προβλέπω (problepō) /pro-ble’pō/ – to look ahead, emphasizing intention rather than perception
• προγινώσκω (proginōskō) /pro-gi-nō’skō/ – to know beforehand, emphasizing knowledge rather than vision
• προθεωρέω (protheōreō) /pro-the-ō-re’ō/ – to contemplate beforehand, emphasizing meditation

See G4275

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προοράω follows these patterns:

• Tense: Present, Imperfect, Aorist, Perfect
• Voice: Active, Middle, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Optative, Imperative
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Imperfective (Present), Perfective (Aorist), Stative (Perfect)

Examples in English:

• I foresee/foresaw
• You foresee/foresaw
• He/She/It foresees/foresaw
• We foresee/foresaw
• You (plural) foresee/foresaw
• They foresee/foresaw

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in prophetic contexts and divine foreknowledge. Thayer’s notes its application to both physical and mental vision. LSJ documents its use in classical Greek for anticipating future events. Vine’s connects it to divine providence. Strong’s highlights its compound nature. LEH notes its use in the Septuagint for prophetic vision. Moulton and Milligan provide examples from papyri showing its use in legal contexts for anticipating future circumstances.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

He [προοράω] foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. Acts 2:31

Additional References:
Acts 21:29
Galatians 3:8

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προοράω beautifully captures the reality of God’s perfect foreknowledge and sovereign oversight of history. This word, particularly in its use regarding Christ’s resurrection and God’s plan of salvation, proclaims the good news that our salvation is not a divine afterthought but part of God’s eternal purpose. It assures us that God sees the end from the beginning and works all things according to His perfect plan for our redemption in Christ.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term was used in ancient Greek medical texts to describe prognosis of diseases.
2. Early Christian writers used προοράω to discuss God’s foreknowledge in predestination debates.
3. The word appears in ancient Greek philosophical texts discussing prophetic dreams and visions.

Strong’s G4275: From pro (before) and horaō (to see), προοράω means to see beforehand or foresee. In biblical usage, it carries theological significance regarding divine foreknowledge and prophetic insight, particularly in contexts of God’s predetermined plan of salvation.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: foreknowledge, prophecy, divine providence, foresight, compound verb, vision, anticipation, prediction, sovereignty, divine plan​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​