πρόκειμαι (G4295) — Greek Lexicon

πρόκειμαι

prókeimai

G4295 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To lie before or in front of (in a literal sense); by extension, to be set or placed before someone as an object, goal, or example. In figurative uses, refers to something being clearly presented, displayed, or designated in advance, especially as an aim, reward, or model to follow.

Semantic Range

to lie before (literally), to be placed/presented before, to be set forth (as an example or reward), to be displayed, to stand as a goal or prospect, to be designated in advance

Root / Etymology

From the preposition πρό ('before, in front of') and the verb κεῖμαι ('to lie, to be situated'). Formed as a compound verb meaning 'to be placed/lie before.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πρόκειμαι commonly referred to something physically lying or situated in front of someone. In the Hellenistic era and Koine Greek (including the New Testament), this verb often takes on a figurative nuance: something (such as a reward, model, or purpose) is figuratively presented or set before a person's attention. It can denote a goal or prospect that is immediately relevant and motivating (e.g., 'the joy set before' in Hebrews 12:2). The word may also indicate being prominently displayed or designated (as an example, or for public attention). English translations such as 'set before,' 'presented,' or 'exhibited' often convey the sense but may not fully capture its range, especially the dynamic of something being held out as incentive or pattern. Distinct from words such as προτίθημι, which can mean to plan or to set forth formally, πρόκειμαι emphasizes the aspect of spatial or metaphorical presence before someone. Usage in the Septuagint and papyri confirms both literal and metaphorical senses, with the figurative predominating in later Greek and in texts with moral or eschatological focus.

Translation Consistency

primary "set" 4 occurrences

“Set” naturally covers both the literal sense (“set/placed before”) and the figurative uses (“set forth,” “set as an example,” “set before as a prospect or reward”). It fits common collocations (set before, set forth) and is the most natural, consistent single verb for this lemma’s range.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):

"lies before" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πρό and κεῖμαι; to lie before the view, i.e. (figuratively) to be present (to the mind), to stand forth (as an example or reward):--be first, set before (forth).

Root Family

πρόκειμαι (prokeimai) — to lie before, to be situated before, to be set forth

Root κείμ- to lie, to be situated

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4295-01`	προκειμένης	prokeimenes	`V PRS MID PTCP GEN F SG`	set before	of the one lying before	of the one setting herself before	2
`G4295-04`	πρόκειται	prokeitai	`V PRS MID IND 3P SG`	is present	it lies before	it lies before	1
`G4295-03`	πρόκεινται	prokeintai	`V PRS MID IND 3P PL`	are set forth	are lying before	are set forth	1
`G4295-02`	προκείμενον	prokeimenon	`V PRS MID PTCP ACC M SG`	set before	lying before	set before	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4295-04`	2 Corinthians 8:12	πρόκειται	prokeitai	`V PRS MID IND 3P SG`	is present	it lies before	it lies before
`G4295-01`	Hebrews 6:18	προκειμένης	prokeimenes	`V PRS MID PTCP GEN F SG`	set before	of the one lying before	of the one setting herself before
`G4295-02`	Hebrews 12:1	προκείμενον	prokeimenon	`V PRS MID PTCP ACC M SG`	set before	lying before	set before
`G4295-01`	Hebrews 12:2	προκειμένης	prokeimenes	`V PRS MID PTCP GEN F SG`	set before	of the one lying before	of the one setting herself before
`G4295-03`	Jude 1:7	πρόκεινται	prokeintai	`V PRS MID IND 3P PL`	are set forth	are lying before	are set forth

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