Brief Overview of προκαταγγέλλω (Strong’s G4293: prokataggellō)

Strong’s G4293: A triple compound verb combining “pro” (before), “kata” (down/according to), and “aggellō” (to announce), meaning to announce beforehand or foretell. In biblical context, it primarily refers to God’s divine foreannouncement of events, especially regarding messianic prophecies.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προκαταγγέλλω represents a significant theological term that embodies the concept of divine foreannouncement. As a triple compound word, it carries the weight of authoritative, predetermined proclamation. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts highlighting God’s sovereign plan of salvation, particularly regarding the foretelling of Christ’s coming and suffering. The early church recognized this word as a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises through Christ. Today, it reminds us that God’s redemptive plan wasn’t an afterthought but a carefully orchestrated divine strategy announced beforehand through the prophets.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προκαταγγέλλω, prokataggellō, pro-ka-ta-an-GEL-lō
• Pronunciation Guide: pro (as in “professional”) + ka (as in “car”) + ta (as in “top”) + an (as in “on”) + GEL (as in “gel”) + lō (as in “low”)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• πρό (pro-) – prefix meaning “before, ahead of time”
• κατά (kata-) – prefix meaning “down, according to”
• ἀγγέλλω (aggellō) – root verb meaning “to announce, proclaim”
• -ω (-ō) – verbal suffix indicating first person singular present active

D – Defining Meanings

• To announce beforehand
• To declare in advance
• To foretell authoritatively

For compound words:
The prefix πρό (pro-) adds the temporal aspect of “beforehand,” κατά (kata-) adds the sense of authority and definiteness, while ἀγγέλλω (aggellō) provides the basic meaning of announcement or proclamation.

Translation Options:

• “to foretell” – emphasizes the prophetic aspect
• “to announce beforehand” – highlights the temporal sequence
• “to proclaim in advance” – stresses the authoritative nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• προλέγω (prolegō, pro-LEG-ō) – See G4302: focuses more on warning than announcement
• προφητεύω (prophēteuō, pro-fē-TEU-ō) – See G4395: emphasizes inspired prediction
• καταγγέλλω (kataggellō, ka-ta-an-GEL-lō) – See G2605: lacks the “beforehand” aspect

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προκαταγγέλλω exhibits:

• Tense: Aorist/Present
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative/Participle
• Person: Third
• Number: Singular/Plural
• Aspect: Perfective/Imperfective

The aorist aspect is particularly significant as it often indicates completed prophetic announcements. For example:

• Present: “I am foretelling”
• Aorist: “I foretold”
• Perfect: “I have foretold”

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the word’s use in prophetic contexts, particularly regarding divine announcements. Thayer’s highlights the authoritative nature of the proclamation. LSJ notes its use in formal declarations. Vine’s connects it to God’s predetermined plan. Strong’s emphasizes the triple compound nature. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from papyri where it indicates official pronouncements.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
Acts 3:18: “But what God foretold [προκατήγγειλεν] by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.”

Additional References:
Acts 7:52
2 Corinthians 9:5

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προκαταγγέλλω beautifully encapsulates God’s sovereign control over history and His faithfulness in revealing His plan of salvation. This word proclaims the good news by showing that Jesus’s coming wasn’t a divine afterthought but rather the culmination of God’s carefully planned and announced redemption story. It testifies to God’s trustworthiness in fulfilling His promises and gives us confidence in His ongoing faithfulness.

D – Did You Know?

• The triple compound structure of προκαταγγέλλω is relatively rare in biblical Greek
• It appears primarily in contexts related to messianic prophecies
• The word was adopted by early Christian writers to describe Old Testament prophecies about Christ

Strong’s G4293: A triple compound verb combining prefixes for “before” and “according to” with “to announce,” signifying authoritative foreannouncement. Used primarily in contexts of divine prophecy and predetermined plans, especially regarding messianic prophecies and their fulfillment in Christ.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: prophecy, foreannouncement, prediction, divine-plan, messianic-prophecy, fulfillment, proclamation, announcement, acts, prophets, salvation-history, god’s-faithfulness​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​