προθέσμιος

prothésmios

G4287 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Set or fixed in advance, especially describing a period or point in time that has been specifically determined or designated beforehand. In context, most often refers to an appointed day, fixed term, or specific deadline established prior to an event.

Semantic Range

fixed or appointed in advance, designated day, set date, time limit, deadline, pre-established term

Root / Etymology

From πρό (before) and a derivative of τίθημι (to put, to set); formed as a compound meaning 'set before' or 'appointed in advance.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term προθέσμιος is first attested in Hellenistic and later Greek, rarely in classical sources, and is most commonly used in legal, administrative, or scheduling contexts to refer to a period or date that is predetermined. In Greek legal and documentary papyri, it might denote an established term or deadline by which something must be completed or a designated date for a specific action. The word is only attested once in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:23), where it refers to a specific time limit, and more broadly occurs in similar senses in other Koine documents. Standard English translations often render it as 'appointed time' or 'fixed period', which captures the primary sense but may obscure the emphasis on prior determination and designation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πρό and a derivative of τίθημι; fixed beforehand, i.e. (feminine with ἡμέρα implied) a designated day:--time appointed.

Root Family

προθέσμιος (prothesmios) — set beforehand, appointed, fixed in advance, designated term

Root θεσμ- to set, to appoint, to fix

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4287-01 προθεσμίας prothesmias N GEN F SG time appointed of a pre-appointed term appointed time 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4287-01 Galatians 4:2 προθεσμίας prothesmias N GEN F SG time appointed of a pre-appointed term appointed time