Brief Overview of προσαναβαίνω (Strong’s G4320: prosanabaino)

Strong’s G4320: A compound verb combining pros (toward), ana (up), and baino (to go), meaning “to go up higher, to move up to a more honorable place.” Used in contexts of social advancement and spatial movement upward, particularly in Luke’s Gospel regarding honor and humility.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προσαναβαίνω represents a rich compound verb that literally means “to go up further” or “to ascend to a higher position.” This word combines physical movement with social and spiritual implications. In its New Testament context, particularly in Luke’s Gospel, it appears in Jesus’ teaching about humility and divine exaltation. The word carries significant theological weight as it illustrates the Kingdom principle that those who humble themselves will be exalted. Early church fathers often used this term to discuss spiritual advancement and the divine invitation to “come up higher,” drawing parallels between physical elevation and spiritual ascent. Today, it continues to resonate as a powerful reminder of God’s pattern of lifting up the humble.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προσαναβαίνω, prosanabaino, pros-an-ab-AH-ee-no
• Pronunciation: Emphasis on ‘AH’, with ‘pros’ and ‘an’ quickly spoken, ‘no’ unstressed
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• πρός (pros) – prefix meaning “toward”
• ἀνα (ana) – prefix meaning “up”
• βαίνω (baino) – root verb meaning “to go, walk, step”
  The triple combination creates a precise description of upward movement toward a specific position.

D – Defining Meanings

• To go up higher
• To advance to a more prominent position
• To move upward to a place of greater honor

For compound words:
The prefix πρός indicates movement toward something specific, ἀνα emphasizes upward direction, and βαίνω provides the basic meaning of movement. Together, they create a precise description of purposeful upward movement toward a specific destination.

Translation Options:

• “to move up higher” – emphasizes both movement and elevation
• “to advance upward” – captures the purposeful nature of the movement
• “to ascend further” – reflects both the upward movement and progression

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀναβαίνω (anabaino, an-ab-AH-ee-no) – to go up, without the specific directional focus
  See G305
• προσέρχομαι (proserchomai, pros-ER-kho-mai) – to come/go to, without emphasis on elevation
  See G4334
• ὑψόω (hupsoo, hoop-SO-oh) – to lift up, exalt
  See G5312

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προσαναβαίνω shows these morphological features:

• Tense: Aorist, Present
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Imperative, Indicative
• Person: 2nd, 3rd
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Punctiliar (Aorist), Progressive (Present)

The imperative mood is particularly significant in its New Testament usage, conveying a command or invitation to move upward. The active voice emphasizes the subject’s own movement, while the aorist aspect often indicates a specific moment of elevation.

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the social implications of the word in Luke’s Gospel. Thayer’s notes its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts. LSJ provides evidence of its use in classical Greek for both physical and social advancement. Vine’s connects it to the theme of divine exaltation. Strong’s highlights the intensified meaning through the double prefix. LEH notes its use in the Septuagint for physical ascent. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri evidence of its use in formal invitations to advance to higher positions.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, [προσανάβηθι] move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. Luke 14:10

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

Author: Work	Text
Xenophon: Anabasis	The soldiers were commanded to [προσαναβαίνω] advance higher up the mountain
Herodotus: Histories	As the water receded, the people [προσαναβαίνω] moved to higher ground
Plato: Republic	The philosopher must [προσαναβαίνω] ascend to higher understanding

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προσαναβαίνω beautifully encapsulates both physical and spiritual elevation, particularly in Jesus’ teaching about humility and honor. The word reminds us that in God’s kingdom, the path to exaltation comes through humility. This divine principle, demonstrated perfectly in Christ who humbled himself and was exalted by the Father, offers hope to all believers. The good news is that God delights in lifting up those who humble themselves before Him.

D – Did You Know?

1. The triple compound nature of this word (pros-ana-baino) is relatively rare in New Testament Greek
2. Its use in Luke 14:10 forms part of Jesus’ teaching about table etiquette, which was a crucial aspect of ancient Mediterranean social life
3. The word appears in ancient Greek theatrical directions for actors moving to more prominent positions on stage

Strong’s G4320: A compound verb combining pros (toward), ana (up), and baino (to go), meaning “to go up higher, to move up to a more honorable place.” Used in contexts of social advancement and spatial movement upward, particularly in Luke’s Gospel regarding honor and humility.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: ascent, elevation, honor, humility, upward-movement, social-position, divine-exaltation, triple-compound, Luke’s-Gospel, table-fellowship, kingdom-principles, spatial-movement, advancement, invitation, honor-shame​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​