What is Paul's Handkerchief?

Paul's Handkerchief combines the latest in biblical scholarship alongside 'coffee with Jesus' activities to reclaim the Ancient Near East context, romance, and mystery of our Bibles.

What is the cover-to-cover Bible Challenge?

Few people who start reading the Bible ever finish it. The cover-to-cover challenge is for those ready to break that cycle — reading the entire Bible at their own pace, backed by community and tools built to make finishing not just possible, but inevitable. You will also get a certificate to celebrate your achievement each time.

What is Coffee with Jesus?

Having a coffee with Jesus is about spending quality time with Him. It isn't just Bible study, but a personal, intimate conversation with Him. Think less classroom, more kitchen table. The devotionals, quizzes, crosswords and journaling are all designed to let the Word shape your heart, not just your head.

What is the F.O.G. Bible Project?

Most English Bibles can't carry the full weight of what's in the original Hebrew and Greek. The F.O.G. Bible Project exists to change that: three new translations built publicly (a Study Bible, a Reader's Paraphrase, and F.O.G. Family), plus a word-by-word renewal of Strong's Concordance. It is Jean Paul Joseph's lifelong work, unfolding in public — and you're invited in.

Jean Paul Joseph is the lead editor of the F.O.G. Bible Project. He works from a personal encounter with Jesus first, then draws on the scholarship of respected Jewish and Christian scholars to produce resources designed for falling in love with the Word.

How do I get started?

Join the club, pick a Bible translation and a reading style that fits you, and you're in. From there, the app tracks your progress and helps keep you showing up — day after day, chapter after chapter.

How do I use this website?

This website has three main areas: the Cover-to-Cover Bible Challenge, Coffee with Jesus, and Study Guides. The Challenge helps you finish the Bible, Coffee with Jesus helps you fall in love with Him, and the Study Guides deepen your understanding of what the Word meant in its original context. To open the study features, simply click a verse in the Bible or select Library in the top navigation.

How much should I read each day?

That's up to you, but we recommend starting with a manageable goal and building up as the habit forms. One or two chapters a day is a great place to start, and three chapters a day will take you through the Bible in a year. If you want full immersion, the 6-Track plan lets you read up to six chapters a day across different sections of Scripture at once.

I prefer reading a physical Bible. What do I do?

We agree, and our goal is to eventually offer F.O.G. Bibles in print. In the meantime, you can read from a physical Bible and still use this website to track your progress and access the study features.

What is the 6-Track Bible reading plan?

The 6-Track plan has you read up to six chapters a day from six different sections of Scripture at the same time. It's adapted from Professor Grant Horner's method, and within eight months you'll read the whole Bible at least once, with parts like the Gospels and Psalms read more than once. It's built for deep immersion and takes about half an hour a day. You don't have to read six chapters daily, but if you choose this plan, we recommend at least three. You can also choose another plan on this website, such as the chronological option.

How do XP and ranks work?

Every activity earns you XP, which moves you through seven Hebrew ranks: Talmid, Mechoker, Maskil, Sofer, Moreh, Chacham, and Zaken. Each is named after a biblical word for going deeper into the Word. Beyond Zaken, five gem tiers await: Pearl, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, and Diamond. Each gem is added to your profile once you reach it.

How do I earn my Certificate of Completion?

You'll receive your certificate when you mark the final chapter of your cover-to-cover Bible Challenge as read. It's generated automatically and added to your profile. Free members receive a digital copy, while patrons receive an archival-quality certificate mailed to their door, ready for framing. You earn a new certificate every time you finish the Bible on this website.

How does patronage work?

A one-time gift of any amount earns you the Giver badge and a trial of RabbAI: 3 months, or 12 months for gifts of $50 or more. An active monthly gift of any amount earns you the Patron badge and keeps your RabbAI access going for as long as the gift continues. Give $50 and you'll receive a certificate mailed to your door when you complete the cover-to-cover Bible Challenge. Give $100 and you can sponsor a verse or page of your choice on this website. Your gift fuels this ministry, and we're grateful for your support.

G4296 (προκηρύσσω)

Summary

Quick facts

Strong’s Number: G4296
Original Word: προκηρύσσω
Transliteration: prokērýssō
Pronunciation: prok-ay-rooce'-so
Part of Speech: verb
Category: Unique Words
Root / Etymology: from G4253 (πρό) and G2784 (κηρύσσω);
Frequency: 2×
Gematria: 1978

Where it appears

Loading distribution…

Definition

Strong 1890 to herald (i.e. proclaim) in advance

before (first) preach

from G4253 (πρό) and G2784 (κηρύσσω);

Commentary

Contributors:

Strong's G4296: A compound verb combining "pro" (before) and "kēryssō" (to herald/proclaim), meaning to announce or proclaim beforehand. In biblical context, it specifically relates to the proclamation of Christ's coming, emphasizing the divine foreannouncement of God's redemptive plan.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προκηρύσσω embodies the concept of authoritative proclamation with an emphasis on timing. As a compound word, it combines the anticipatory aspect of "pro" with the official proclamation inherent in "kēryssō." In the New Testament, particularly in Acts 3:20, it appears in connection with the proclamation of Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah. The early church recognized this term as highlighting the continuity between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment. Today, it reminds us that God's plan of salvation wasn't improvised but proclaimed in advance through His prophets and messengers.

N - Necessary Information

Greek Word: προκηρύσσω, prokēryssō, pro-kay-ROOS-so
Pronunciation Guide: pro (as in "pro-fessional") + kay (as in "kay") + ROOS (as in "rooster") + so (as in "so")
Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

πρό (pro-) - prefix meaning "before, ahead of time"
κηρύσσω (kēryssō) - root verb meaning "to proclaim, herald"
-ω (-ō) - verbal suffix indicating first person singular present active

D - Defining Meanings

To proclaim beforehand
To announce in advance
To herald ahead of time

For compound words:
The prefix πρό (pro-) adds the temporal aspect of "beforehand," while κηρύσσω (kēryssō) provides the sense of official proclamation or heralding.

Translation Options:

"to proclaim beforehand" - emphasizes the official nature
"to herald in advance" - highlights the public announcement aspect
"to pre-announce" - stresses the temporal sequence

E - Exploring Similar Words

κηρύσσω (kēryssō, kay-ROOS-so) - See G2784: lacks the "beforehand" aspect
προευαγγελίζομαι (proeuaggelizomai, pro-eu-an-ge-LID-zo-mai) - See G4283: specifically refers to preaching good news beforehand
προαγγέλλω (proaggellō, pro-an-GEL-lo) - See G4291: emphasizes announcing future events

R - Reviewing the Word's Morphology

As a verb, προκηρύσσω exhibits:

Tense: Perfect
Voice: Passive/Middle
Mood: Participle
Person: Third
Number: Singular
Aspect: Perfective

In English, the morphology demonstrates:

Leave your mark

Sponsor a Verse

A $100 gift puts your name — on the verse or page you sponsor, so everyone who reads it sees your love for the Word.

In your name — or in memory of someone you love

Present: "I proclaim beforehand"
Perfect: "I have proclaimed beforehand"
Aorist: "I proclaimed beforehand"

S - Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the word's use in official proclamations. Thayer's highlights its connection to messianic prophecy. LSJ notes its frequent use in public announcements. Vine's connects it to the preparation for Christ's coming. Strong's emphasizes the compound nature suggesting authoritative pre-announcement. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from papyri where it indicates official proclamations.

T - Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
Acts 3:20: "That he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago [προκεκηρυγμένον]."

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

A - Analyzing Classical Usage

Author: Work	Text
Demosthenes: Against Philip	"The herald [προκηρύξας] proclaimed in advance the assembly's decision"
Thucydides: History	"The city [προκηρύσσουσα] announced beforehand the terms of peace"
Xenophon: Cyropaedia	"The commander [προκηρύξαντος] proclaimed ahead of time the battle orders"

N - Noteworthy Summary

Προκηρύσσω beautifully captures God's intentional revelation of His salvation plan. This word proclaims the good news by showing that Jesus's coming wasn't unexpected but was heralded throughout history. It testifies to God's faithful preparation of His people through prophecy and proclamation, culminating in the arrival of Christ, the promised Messiah.

D - Did You Know?

Προκηρύσσω was commonly used for official state proclamations in ancient Greece
The word appears in Acts in reference to all the prophetic announcements about Christ
Its usage emphasizes the continuity between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment

Strong's G4296: A compound verb combining "before" and "to herald," signifying authoritative proclamation made in advance. Used specifically in Acts to emphasize how God announced His redemptive plan through the prophets before Christ's coming.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: proclamation, prophecy, announcement, herald, messiah, forerunner, acts, prophets, preparation, divine-plan, fulfillment, salvation-history

The Coffee Club Explained.

CERTIFICATE

Your Name Here