Brief Overview of προχειροτονέω (Strong’s G4401: procheirotoneō)

Strong’s G4401: A compound verb combining πρό (before) with χειροτονέω (to choose by raising hands), meaning to choose or appoint beforehand. Used in Acts to describe God’s sovereign pre-selection of witnesses to Christ’s resurrection, emphasizing divine purpose in appointment.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προχειροτονέω represents appointment by prior selection, combining the concept of voting or choosing (χειροτονέω) with prior action (πρό). In its sole New Testament appearance in Acts 10:41, it describes God’s prior selection of witnesses to Christ’s resurrection. The term derives from Greek democratic practice of voting by raising hands but takes on theological significance in describing divine selection. The early church understood this term as emphasizing both God’s sovereignty in choosing witnesses and the legitimacy of their testimony. Today, it continues to illustrate how God purposefully selects and prepares people for specific roles in His plan.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προχειροτονέω, procheirotoneō, /pro-khei-ro-to-NE-ō/
• Detailed pronunciation: pro (as in ‘pro’) + khei (as in ‘kind’) + ro (as in ‘row’) + to (as in ‘toe’) + ne (as in ‘neigh’) + ō (as in ‘oh’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• πρό (pro-) – prefix meaning “before”
• χείρ (cheir) – noun meaning “hand”
• τείνω (teinō) – verb meaning “to stretch”
• -έω (-eō) – verb suffix
  The combination creates the concept of choosing beforehand by stretched hands.

D – Defining Meanings

• To choose beforehand
• To appoint previously
• To pre-select

For compound words:
The prefix πρό adds temporal priority to χειροτονέω (to vote by raising hands), creating the concept of prior selection or appointment.

Translation Options:

1. “To choose beforehand” – Best captures divine pre-selection
2. “To appoint previously” – Emphasizes prior determination
3. “To pre-select” – Highlights intentional prior choice

E – Exploring Similar Words

• χειροτονέω (cheirotoneō, /khei-ro-to-NE-ō/) – To elect, appoint
  See G5500
• προορίζω (proorizō, /pro-o-RI-zō/) – To predestine
  See G4309
• ἐκλέγω (eklegō, /ek-LE-gō/) – To choose, select
  See G1586

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προχειροτονέω exhibits these morphological features:

• Tense: Perfect, Participle
• Voice: Passive
• Mood: Participle
• Person: N/A (Participle)
• Number: Plural
• Aspect: Stative (Perfect)

Example morphological variations:

• Perfect Passive Participle: προκεχειροτονημένοις (having been chosen beforehand)

Related words in other parts of speech:

• προχειροτονία (procheirotonia) – noun form meaning “prior selection”

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes divine pre-selection. Thayer’s notes its development from political to theological usage. LSJ provides examples from democratic contexts. Vine’s highlights its unique usage in Acts. Strong’s emphasizes the compound meaning. Moulton and Milligan cite examples showing administrative usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
“Not to all the people but to us who had been [προχειροτονέω] chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.” Acts 10:41

Additional References:
This word appears only once in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προχειροτονέω powerfully expresses God’s sovereign selection of witnesses to Christ’s resurrection. The good news of King Jesus includes His purposeful preparation of people to testify to His saving work, reminding us that divine appointment precedes effective witness.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word originated in Athenian democratic practices
2. It transitioned from political to theological usage
3. Early church writers used it for divine appointments to ministry

Strong’s G4401: A compound verb combining πρό (before) with χειροτονέω (to choose by raising hands), meaning to choose or appoint beforehand. Used in Acts to describe God’s sovereign pre-selection of witnesses to Christ’s resurrection, emphasizing divine purpose in appointment.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: appointment, selection, divine choice, witness, pre-selection, sovereignty, purpose, testimony, resurrection, witnesses​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​