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πρόγονος

prógonos

G4269 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Forebear, ancestor in a lineage; more specifically, a parent or grandparent, but contextually may extend to any earlier generation within a family line. In its core sense, refers to one from whom someone is descended, either immediately (parent, grandparent) or more distantly (forebear, ancestor).

Semantic Range

forebear, ancestor, parent, grandparent, predecessor in a lineage

Root / Etymology

Derived from προ- ('before') + γίγνομαι ('to become, to be born, to come into being'), thus literally 'one who was born before.' Cognate with Latin 'progenitor.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term πρόγονος is attested in classical Greek with the meaning of 'ancestor,' 'forebear,' or a predecessor in a lineage (sometimes mythological or heroic ancestors). In the Koine period, including the New Testament (e.g., 2 Tim 1:3), the term is used of direct ancestors, especially parents or grandparents, but can be generalized to include previous generations as well. Its semantic range does not specifically denote only father or only grandfather; the context determines which generation is indicated. Standard English translations often reduce the term to 'ancestor,' 'forefather,' or 'parent,' but πρόγονος remains flexible in Greek, not strictly fixed to one familial relationship. It is less common than συγγενής (relative, kin) and is more specific than πατήρ (father), denoting a generational predecessor rather than just one's immediate progenitor. In the Septuagint and other Koine sources, the meaning remains consistent, generally designating those from whom descent is traced, serving genealogical or honorific purposes. Unlike English 'ancestor,' the term does not necessarily convey distant genealogy and can refer to a living predecessor. It never means 'posterity.' No significant semantic shift from the classical to the Hellenistic period is found.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from προγίνομαι; an ancestor, (grand-)parent:--forefather, parent.

Root Family

πρόγονος (prógonos) — before, to become, to be born, ancestor

Root προ-, γεν- before, to become, to be born, ancestor

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4269-02 προγόνων progonon ADJ.S GEN M PL forefathers of forebears forebears 1
G4269-01 προγόνοις progonois ADJ.S DAT M PL parents to the forebears forebears 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4269-01 1 Timothy 5:4 προγόνοις progonois ADJ.S DAT M PL parents to the forebears forebears
G4269-02 2 Timothy 1:3 προγόνων progonon ADJ.S GEN M PL forefathers of forebears forebears
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