προσεάω

proseáō

G4330 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To allow, to permit (explicitly to let someone or something proceed or advance); in extended use, to grant leave or further allowance, especially in response to a request. The term emphasizes granting permission for continued action when there may be grounds to prohibit.

Semantic Range

to allow or permit (specifically to allow to proceed or continue), to grant leave or access, to suffer (obsolete sense: allow)

Root / Etymology

From the preposition πρός (toward, to) and the verb ἐάω (to allow, permit); thus, literally 'to allow towards' or 'grant leave to proceed.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

This verb is rare in extant Greek literature and is found primarily in later sources; the compound structure specifies permitting further progress or continuance as contrasted with general permission. In the New Testament (Acts 27:32), it occurs in a context of permitting action to continue that otherwise might be denied. The simple verb ἐάω is more common and broadly means 'to allow' or 'let.' Standard English translations render it as 'suffer' or 'permit,' but these may obscure the nuance of allowing continued or further action. Limited attestation outside the New Testament suggests the word was not widely used but would have been intelligible to Koine audiences.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πρός and ἐάω; to permit further progress:--suffer.

Root Family

προσεάω (proseáō) — to permit, to allow, to let proceed

Root προσ- to permit, to allow, to let proceed

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4330-01 προσεῶντος proseontos V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG permitting of permitting to proceed permitting 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4330-01 Acts 27:7 προσεῶντος proseontos V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG permitting of permitting to proceed permitting