Brief Overview of προεπαγγέλλω (Strong’s G4279: proepangellō)

Strong’s G4279: From pro (before), epi (upon), and angellō (to announce), προεπαγγέλλω means to announce or promise beforehand. In biblical usage, it specifically refers to God’s promises made through the prophets regarding the coming of Christ and salvation.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προεπαγγέλλω embodies the concept of divine promise-making before fulfillment. As a compound word combining προ (before), ἐπί (upon), and ἀγγέλλω (to announce), it creates a rich theological term emphasizing God’s sovereign declarations made in advance. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts of God’s promises through the prophets, particularly regarding the gospel (Romans 1:2). Early church fathers used this term to emphasize the continuity between Old Testament promises and their New Testament fulfillment in Christ. Today, it continues to underscore God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and the reliability of His word.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προεπαγγέλλω, proepangellō, /pro-ep-an-gel’lō/
• Detailed pronunciation: pro (as in “professional”) + ep (as in “epic”) + an (as in “on”) + gel (as in “gel”) + lō (as in “low”)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• προ- (pro-): prefix meaning “before”
• ἐπ- (ep-): prefix meaning “upon”
• ἀγγέλλω (angellō): root verb meaning “to announce”
• -ω (-ō): primary verb ending

D – Defining Meanings

• To promise beforehand
• To announce in advance
• To declare previously
• To proclaim ahead of time

For compound words:
The prefix προ- adds the temporal aspect of “before,” ἐπ- adds emphasis and direction, and ἀγγέλλω provides the core meaning of announcing or declaring, creating the concept of making authoritative declarations in advance.

Translation Options:

• “to promise beforehand” – emphasizes the binding nature of the declaration
• “to announce in advance” – highlights the proclamatory aspect
• “to foretell by promise” – combines prophetic and promissory elements

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἐπαγγέλλω (epangellō) /ep-an-gel’lō/ – to promise, without the element of prior action
• προκηρύσσω (prokērussō) /pro-kē-rus’sō/ – to proclaim beforehand, emphasizing public declaration
• προλέγω (prolegō) /pro-le’gō/ – to tell beforehand, emphasizing prediction

See G4279

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προεπαγγέλλω demonstrates these features:

• Tense: Present, 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 promise beforehand
• You promise beforehand
• He/She/It promises beforehand
• We promise beforehand
• You (plural) promise beforehand
• They promise beforehand

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of divine promise-making. Thayer’s highlights its connection to prophetic announcements. LSJ notes its use in formal declarations. Vine’s connects it to God’s covenantal promises. Strong’s emphasizes its compound nature. LEH discusses its use in the Septuagint for divine promises. Moulton and Milligan document its use in legal declarations.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

Which he [προεπαγγέλλω] promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. Romans 1:2

Additional References:
2 Corinthians 9:5

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προεπαγγέλλω powerfully demonstrates God’s sovereign control over history through His promises. This word proclaims the good news that God’s salvation plan wasn’t an afterthought but was promised and prepared from the beginning. In Christ, we see the fulfillment of all God’s promises, confirming His faithfulness and the certainty of His word.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term appears in ancient legal documents for binding promises made before contracts.
2. Early Christian apologists used it to demonstrate the divine origin of Christianity through fulfilled prophecy.
3. The word was used in Hellenistic diplomatic correspondence for official advance declarations.

Strong’s G4279: From pro (before), epi (upon), and angellō (to announce), προεπαγγέλλω means to announce or promise beforehand. In biblical usage, it specifically refers to God’s promises made through the prophets regarding the coming of Christ and salvation.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: promise, prophecy, announcement, divine declaration, compound verb, covenant, fulfillment, prediction, Scripture, faithfulness​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​