προγινώσκω (G4267) — Greek Lexicon

προγινώσκω

proginṓskō

G4267 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To know beforehand, to possess information or awareness about something prior to its occurrence or revelation. Refers to the act of having prior knowledge (either through experience, information, or insight) before an event happens or is made known. Can also connote to select or set apart in advance (particularly in certain literary and Hellenistic Jewish/Christian contexts).

Semantic Range

to know beforehand, to foresee, to have prior awareness, to choose in advance (contextually in some texts), to predetermine in the sense of prior knowledge

Root / Etymology

From πρό (before) and γινώσκω (to know, learn, recognize). Formed as a compound verb, with the prepositional prefix indicating temporal priority.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, προγινώσκω is rare but would naturally mean to know or learn something before others or before an event occurs. In the Septuagint and contemporaneous literature, its usage is limited and mostly appears in Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian writings. In the New Testament, προγινώσκω refers either to (1) foreseeing or having knowledge in advance of events (Acts 26:5), or (2) possessing prior determination or intention regarding people or events, as in Romans 8:29 and 11:2. Here, the nuance of 'to choose beforehand' is contextually drawn not from the inherent meaning of the verb, but from the context of divine agency. English translations often render the term as 'foreknow,' but occasionally as 'foreordain' where theological connotations are assumed. However, its primary meaning remains 'to know ahead of time.' This compound verb is distinct from γινώσκω (to know), with the prefix πρό specifying the temporal aspect. It should not be confused with terms denoting mere prediction (προφητεύω, etc.), as προγινώσκω concerns knowledge rather than prophecy or proclamation.

Translation Consistency

primary "foreknow" 2 occurrences

The primary semantic range of προγινώσκω is to know beforehand or foresee; in English the standard single-word equivalent used across translations is “foreknow/foreknew.” This preserves the prior-knowledge sense (including the theological nuance of choosing/predetermining in advance) more precisely than the plain verb “know,” while remaining the idiomatic choice used in Biblical English.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):

"foreknew" (2x) "having been known beforehand" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πρό and γινώσκω; to know beforehand, i.e. foresee:--foreknow (ordain), know (before).

Root Family

προγινώσκω (proginōskō) — to know, to recognize, to understand beforehand

Root προ-γνωσκ- to know, to recognize, to understand

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4267-01`	προέγνω	proegno	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	foreknew	knew beforehand	he foreknew	2
`G4267-03`	προγινώσκοντές	proginoskontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	having known beforehand	those knowing beforehand	those who foreknow	2
`G4267-02`	προεγνωσμένου	proegnosmenou	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M SG`	having been foreknown	of the one having been known beforehand	of the one having been known beforehand	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4267-03`	Acts 26:5	προγινώσκοντές	proginoskontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	having known beforehand	those knowing beforehand	those who foreknow
`G4267-01`	Romans 8:29	προέγνω	proegno	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he foreknew	knew beforehand	he foreknew
`G4267-01`	Romans 11:2	προέγνω	proegno	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	foreknew	knew beforehand	he foreknew
`G4267-02`	1 Peter 1:20	προεγνωσμένου	proegnosmenou	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M SG`	having been foreknown	of the one having been known beforehand	of the one having been known beforehand
`G4267-03`	2 Peter 3:17	προγινώσκοντες	proginoskontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	knowing beforehand	those knowing beforehand	those who foreknow

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