προλαμβάνω
prolambánō
G4301 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To take or seize beforehand or in advance; in literal contexts, to partake of something before others have an opportunity; in extended or figurative usage, to anticipate, to surprise or overtake, particularly in the sense of encountering or dealing with someone or something before others do or before due time.
Semantic Range
to take beforehand, to receive or partake in advance, to anticipate, to overtake, to surprise, to encounter before others
Root / Etymology
From the prepositional prefix πρό (before, in front of) and the verb λαμβάνω (to take, receive). The compound carries the sense of taking or seizing (λαμβάνω) prior to (πρό) another's opportunity or expectation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, προλαμβάνω is attested rarely, generally carrying the literal sense of 'to take beforehand' or 'to receive before.' In Hellenistic and Koine Greek (including the New Testament), its usage extends to contexts of anticipating or overtaking, such as partaking of food before others (as in 1 Corinthians 11:21, 'each one goes ahead with his own meal') or encountering a person or situation in advance (Galatians 6:1, 'if anyone is overtaken in any trespass'). The figurative use ('to surprise, to anticipate') develops from this literal sense. English Bible translations often use 'overtake,' 'take before,' or 'come beforehand,' but the Greek term encompasses both literal and anticipatory senses. The term should be distinguished from related verbs such as καταλαμβάνω (to seize, grasp, overtake definitively); προλαμβάνω emphasizes priority or acting before another rather than the act of forceful seizing. There is little theological loading to the term; its sense remains largely within the semantic field of temporal priority and anticipation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πρό and λαμβάνω; to take in advance, i.e. (literally) eat before others have an opportunity; (figuratively) to anticipate, surprise:--come aforehand, overtake, take before.
Root Family
προλαμβάνω (prolambanō) — to take beforehand, to seize in advance, to anticipate, to overtake
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4301-01 |
προέλαβεν | proelaben | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
she has anticipated | took beforehand | 1 |
G4301-02 |
προλαμβάνει | prolambanei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
takes ahead | he/she takes beforehand | 1 |
G4301-03 |
προλημφθῇ | prolemphthe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
is caught | may be overtaken beforehand | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4301-01 |
Mark 14:8 | προέλαβεν | proelaben | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
she has anticipated | took beforehand |
G4301-02 |
1 Corinthians 11:21 | προλαμβάνει | prolambanei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
takes ahead | he/she takes beforehand |
G4301-03 |
Galatians 6:1 | προλημφθῇ | prolemphthe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
is caught | may be overtaken beforehand |