Brief Overview of προσπίπτω (Strong’s G4363: prospiptō)

Strong’s G4363: A compound verb combining πρός (toward) with πίπτω (to fall), meaning to fall upon, fall down before, or fall against. Used both literally for physical impact and figuratively for acts of reverence, supplication, or submission, particularly in contexts of worship and petition.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προσπίπτω represents both physical and spiritual postures of falling or pressing against something or someone. As a compound word, it joins πρός (toward) with πίπτω (to fall), creating a vivid picture of intentional prostration or forceful contact. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from the physical force of storms against houses to people falling at Jesus’ feet in worship or supplication. The early church understood this term as expressing both the power of natural forces and the proper posture of humility before divine authority. Today, it continues to convey the intensity of both physical impact and spiritual submission.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προσπίπτω, prospiptō, /pros-PIP-tō/
• Detailed pronunciation: pros (as in ‘prose’) + pip (as in ‘pip’) + tō (as in ‘toe’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• πρός (pros-) – prefix meaning “toward, against”
• πίπτω (piptō) – root verb meaning “to fall”
  The combination emphasizes directed motion resulting in impact or contact.

D – Defining Meanings

• To fall upon or against
• To fall down before (in worship or supplication)
• To strike against with force

For compound words:
The prefix πρός adds directional force to the base verb πίπτω, emphasizing the targeted nature of the falling motion and the resultant contact or impact.

Translation Options:

1. “To fall upon” – Best captures both physical and figurative uses
2. “To fall down before” – Emphasizes reverential or supplicatory contexts
3. “To strike against” – Highlights forceful physical contact

E – Exploring Similar Words

• πίπτω (piptō, /PIP-tō/) – To fall
  See G4098
• καταπίπτω (katapiptō, /ka-ta-PIP-tō/) – To fall down
  See G2667
• προσκυνέω (proskyneō, /pros-ky-NE-ō/) – To worship, fall down in worship
  See G4352

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προσπίπτω exhibits these morphological features:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Participle
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Imperfective (Present), Perfective (Aorist)

Example morphological variations:

• Present: προσπίπτω (I fall upon)
• Future: προσπεσοῦμαι (I will fall upon)
• Aorist: προσέπεσον (I fell upon)

Related words in other parts of speech:

• πρόσπτωσις (prosptōsis) – noun form meaning “a falling upon”

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its dual usage in physical and reverential contexts. Thayer’s notes its frequent use in worship scenarios. LSJ provides examples from both literal and metaphorical contexts. Vine’s highlights its use in describing approaches to Christ. Strong’s emphasizes the compound nature and intensified meaning. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from petitionary contexts in papyri.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and [προσπίπτω] beat against that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” Matthew 7:25

Additional References:
Mark 3:11
Mark 5:33
Mark 7:25
Luke 8:28
Luke 8:47

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προσπίπτω beautifully captures both physical and spiritual dynamics of falling upon or before something or someone. In the gospel narratives, it often describes people falling at Jesus’ feet in desperate need or reverent worship, showing us that approaching Christ in humility leads to transformation. The good news of King Jesus invites us to fall before Him in worship, knowing that He meets us in our desperate need with grace and power.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word appears frequently in ancient Greek medical texts describing symptoms falling upon patients.
2. It was a technical term in military contexts for troops falling upon an enemy.
3. Early Christian liturgies used this word to describe the proper posture of prayer.

Strong’s G4363: A compound verb combining πρός (toward) with πίπτω (to fall), meaning to fall upon, fall down before, or fall against. Used both literally for physical impact and figuratively for acts of reverence, supplication, or worship, particularly in contexts of spiritual engagement.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: falling, worship, supplication, impact, force, submission, reverence, prostration, petition, humility​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​