Brief Overview of προσδοκία (Strong’s G4329: prosdokia)

Strong’s G4329: A noun derived from προσδοκάω (to expect), meaning “expectation, anticipation, or looking for.” Used in the New Testament to describe both fearful anticipation of judgment and hopeful expectation of deliverance, particularly in eschatological contexts.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προσδοκία represents the state or act of expectation, encompassing both fearful anticipation and hopeful waiting. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts of both dread (regarding coming judgment) and hope (concerning divine deliverance). The word carries particular weight in apocalyptic passages, where it describes humanity’s response to cosmic events. Early church fathers employed this term when discussing both the fear of judgment and the anticipation of Christ’s return. Today, it continues to express the dual nature of Christian expectation – both sobering accountability and joyful hope in Christ’s coming.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προσδοκία, prosdokia, pros-do-KEE-ah
• Pronunciation: Emphasis on ‘KEE’, with ‘pros’ quickly spoken, ‘ah’ unstressed
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• πρός (pros) – prefix meaning “toward”
• δοκέω (dokeō) – root verb meaning “to think, expect”
• -ία (-ia) – suffix forming abstract nouns
  The combination forms a noun expressing the concept of expectation or anticipation.

D – Defining Meanings

• Expectation
• Anticipation
• Looking forward to or dreading

For compound words:
The prefix πρός adds directional focus, while the root δοκέω provides the sense of thinking or expecting. The suffix -ία transforms the verbal concept into an abstract noun denoting the state of expectation.

Translation Options:

• “expectation” – captures the general state of anticipation
• “anxious waiting” – emphasizes the emotional aspect
• “anticipation” – reflects both hope and fear aspects

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἐλπίς (elpis, el-PEES) – hope, specifically positive expectation
  See G1680
• ἀποκαραδοκία (apokaradokia, ap-ok-ar-ad-ok-EE-ah) – eager expectation
  See G603
• ἐκδοχή (ekdochē, ek-do-KHAY) – expectation
  See G1561

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a noun, προσδοκία shows these features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Accusative
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: First

The word follows standard first declension patterns:

• Nominative: προσδοκία
• Genitive: προσδοκίας
• Dative: προσδοκίᾳ
• Accusative: προσδοκίαν

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in both fearful and hopeful contexts. Thayer’s notes its connection to eschatological expectation. LSJ provides evidence of its use in secular Greek for general anticipation. Vine’s connects it to the verb προσδοκάω. Strong’s highlights its emotional aspect. LEH notes its use in apocalyptic literature. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri evidence of its use in both official and personal contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
People fainting with fear and with [προσδοκίας] foreboding of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Luke 21:26

Additional References:
Acts 12:11

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προσδοκία powerfully captures the dual nature of Christian expectation – both solemn awareness of coming judgment and joyful anticipation of Christ’s return. This tension reminds us that the good news includes both accountability and hope, calling us to live wisely while rejoicing in our ultimate deliverance through Christ.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears in both apocalyptic discourse and historical narrative in the New Testament
2. It was commonly used in military contexts for the anticipation of battle
3. Early Christian writers used it to describe both the fear of judgment and the hope of salvation

Strong’s G4329: A noun derived from προσδοκάω (to expect), meaning “expectation, anticipation, or looking for.” Used in the New Testament to describe both fearful anticipation of judgment and hopeful expectation of deliverance, particularly in eschatological contexts.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: expectation, anticipation, fear, hope, eschatology, judgment, deliverance, apocalyptic, end-times, waiting, Christ’s-return, divine-intervention, emotional-state, Christian-hope, accountability​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​