Brief Overview of προμελετάω (Strong’s G4304: promeletaō)

Strong’s G4304: A compound verb combining “pro” (before) and “meletaō” (to practice/meditate), meaning to meditate or prepare beforehand. In biblical context, it specifically relates to Jesus’s instruction not to prepare defense speeches in advance when brought before authorities.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προμελετάω embodies the concept of advance preparation through careful thought and practice. As a compound word, it combines anticipatory action with meditation or practice. In the New Testament, it appears uniquely in Luke 21:14, where Jesus instructs his disciples not to rehearse their defense speeches beforehand, promising divine wisdom in the moment. The early church saw this term as emphasizing reliance on the Holy Spirit rather than human preparation. Today, it continues to challenge believers to trust in God’s provision rather than excessive self-reliance in times of spiritual testing.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προμελετάω, promeletaō, pro-mel-e-TA-ō
• Pronunciation Guide: pro (as in “pro-fessional”) + mel (as in “melody”) + e (as in “eh”) + TA (as in “ta”) + ō (as in “oh”)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• πρό (pro-) – prefix meaning “before, beforehand”
• μελετάω (meletaō) – root verb meaning “to care for, practice, meditate”
• -ω (-ō) – verbal suffix indicating first person singular present active

D – Defining Meanings

• To practice beforehand
• To prepare in advance
• To meditate beforehand

For compound words:
The prefix πρό (pro-) adds the temporal aspect of “beforehand,” while μελετάω (meletaō) provides the sense of careful practice or meditation.

Translation Options:

• “to prepare beforehand” – emphasizes the preparatory aspect
• “to rehearse in advance” – highlights the practice element
• “to premeditate” – stresses the mental preparation

E – Exploring Similar Words

• μελετάω (meletaō, mel-e-TA-ō) – See G3191: basic form meaning “to meditate”
• προμεριμνάω (promerimnaō, pro-mer-im-NA-ō) – See G4305: emphasizes anxious preparation
• προνοέω (pronoeō, pro-no-E-ō) – See G4306: focuses on forethought

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προμελετάω exhibits:

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Infinitive
• Person: N/A (Infinitive)
• Number: N/A (Infinitive)
• Aspect: Progressive

Examples of usage:

• Present: “to prepare beforehand”
• Participle: “preparing beforehand”
• Infinitive: “to be preparing beforehand”

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the word’s connection to rhetorical preparation. Thayer’s highlights its use in contexts of public speaking. LSJ notes its frequent use in classical rhetoric. Vine’s connects it to mental preparation. Strong’s emphasizes the compound nature suggesting careful advance preparation. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from papyri showing its use in educational contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
Luke 21:14: “Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand [προμελετᾶν] how to answer.”

Additional References:
As a hapax legomenon, προμελετάω appears only once in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προμελετάω beautifully captures the tension between human preparation and divine enablement. This word proclaims the good news by showing that believers need not rely on their own eloquence or preparation when testifying for Christ. It reminds us that the Holy Spirit provides wisdom and words in moments of spiritual testing, freeing us from anxiety about future challenges.

D – Did You Know?

• Προμελετάω was a technical term in ancient rhetoric for speech preparation
• The word appears in classical texts about education and public speaking
• Its use in Luke emphasizes a distinct Christian approach to testimony, contrasting with classical rhetorical training

Strong’s G4304: A compound verb meaning to prepare or practice beforehand, specifically used in Christ’s instruction not to rehearse defense speeches in advance. Emphasizes reliance on divine wisdom rather than human preparation in spiritual testimony.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: preparation, meditation, practice, testimony, persecution, holy-spirit, luke, speech, defense, trust, divine-provision, persecution​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​