Brief Overview of προσέρχομαι (Strong’s G4334: proserchomai)

Strong’s G4334: A compound verb combining pros (toward) with erchomai (to come), meaning “to come toward, approach, draw near.” Used frequently in the Gospels to describe people approaching Jesus for healing, teaching, or interaction, and in Hebrews for approaching God in worship and prayer.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προσέρχομαι represents both physical and spiritual approach. In the New Testament, it frequently describes people coming to Jesus for various needs – healing, teaching, questioning, or worship. The compound structure emphasizes intentional, purposeful movement toward someone. In Hebrews, it takes on special theological significance regarding approaching God’s throne of grace. Early church fathers used this term to discuss both physical approach to the Eucharist and spiritual drawing near to God in prayer and worship. Today, it continues to express the accessibility of Christ and the privilege of approaching God through Him.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προσέρχομαι, proserchomai, pros-ER-kho-mai
• Pronunciation: Emphasis on ‘ER’, with ‘pros’ quickly spoken, ‘mai’ unstressed
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• πρός (pros) – prefix meaning “toward”
• ἔρχομαι (erchomai) – root verb meaning “to come, go”
  The combination emphasizes directed movement toward someone or something.

D – Defining Meanings

• To come near to
• To approach
• To draw near for a purpose

For compound words:
The prefix πρός adds directional focus to ἔρχομαι, creating a sense of purposeful approach. The combination emphasizes both the movement and its intention.

Translation Options:

• “to approach” – emphasizes the movement toward
• “to draw near to” – captures the relational aspect
• “to come before” – reflects the formal or reverential use

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἔρχομαι (erchomai, ER-kho-mai) – to come/go, without directional emphasis
  See G2064
• ἐγγίζω (engizō, en-GID-zo) – to draw near
  See G1448
• παρέρχομαι (parerchomai, par-ER-kho-mai) – to pass by
  See G3928

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προσέρχομαι shows these morphological features:

• Tense: Present, Aorist
• Voice: Middle/Deponent
• Mood: Participle, Indicative
• Person: All
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Punctiliar/Continuous

The deponent form indicates active meaning despite middle/passive form. The present participle often describes the act of approaching, while aorist indicates completed approach.

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both literal and metaphorical approach. Thayer’s notes its frequent use in worship contexts. LSJ provides evidence of its use in both secular and religious approaches. Vine’s connects it to coming to Christ. Strong’s highlights the intentional direction. LEH notes its use in worship contexts in the Septuagint. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri evidence of its use in both official and personal approaches.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
And the tempter [προσελθὼν] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” Matthew 4:3

Additional References:
Matthew 5:1
Matthew 8:5
Hebrews 4:16
Hebrews 7:25

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προσέρχομαι beautifully captures the accessibility of Christ and the privilege of approaching God through Him. The frequency of its use in the Gospels shows Jesus’ welcoming nature to all who sought Him, while its use in Hebrews emphasizes our newfound access to God through Christ’s mediation. The good news is that we can now approach God’s throne of grace with confidence through Jesus.

D – Did You Know?

1. This is one of the most frequently used verbs for approaching Jesus in the Gospels
2. It appears significantly in Hebrews in contexts of approaching God’s throne
3. The word was commonly used in temple contexts for approaching sacred spaces

Strong’s G4334: A compound verb combining pros (toward) with erchomai (to come), meaning “to come toward, approach, draw near.” Used frequently in the Gospels to describe people approaching Jesus for healing, teaching, or interaction, and in Hebrews for approaching God in worship and prayer.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: approach, drawing-near, access, worship, prayer, healing-narratives, Jesus-encounters, throne-of-grace, compound-verb, Matthew, Hebrews, accessibility, divine-presence, seeking-Jesus, confidence​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​