προκηρύσσω

prokērýssō

G4296 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To proclaim or announce publicly or officially before others, particularly in advance of an event; in context, often to announce beforehand, to make known publicly in advance, especially regarding future occurrences or persons.

Semantic Range

to announce publicly in advance, to proclaim beforehand, to foreshadow by announcement, to herald as a forerunner, to make known prior to fulfillment

Root / Etymology

Compound of πρό (before, in front of) and κηρύσσω (to proclaim, to herald). Thus, etymologically, 'to proclaim before' or 'to herald in advance.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Koine Greek, προκηρύσσω is a relatively rare verb, primarily attested in literary and Hellenistic sources, and used sparingly in the New Testament (e.g., Mark 1:2). The core nuance is not simply proclaiming, but publicly and authoritatively announcing prior to a main event or prior to fulfillment—often with the sense of significant foreshadowing (such as an announcement regarding a coming person or event). In the NT and LXX contexts, it frequently refers to a prophetic or preparatory proclamation (e.g., announcing beforehand the coming of a messenger or Messiah). This anticipatory sense differs from κηρύσσω, which generically refers to public pronouncement or preaching. Septuagint usage sometimes adopts the term for the announcement of plans or decrees with forward-looking significance. Standard English translations such as "preach beforehand" or "proclaim in advance" generally reflect this nuance but sometimes obscure the anticipatory or preparatory function that distinguishes this verb from more general 'proclaim' vocabulary.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πρό and κηρύσσω; to herald (i.e. proclaim) in advance:--before (first) preach.

Root Family

προκηρύσσω (prokērýssō) — proclaim beforehand, herald in advance, announce publicly prior

Root κηρύσσω to proclaim, to herald, to announce

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4296-01 προκηρύξαντος prokeruxantos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG having proclaimed before of the one who proclaimed beforehand of the one who proclaimed beforehand 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4296-01 Acts 13:24 προκηρύξαντος prokeruxantos V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG having proclaimed before of the one who proclaimed beforehand of the one who proclaimed beforehand