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προστάσσω

prostássō

G4367 verb

SILEX Entry

Root προσ-τασσ- to assign, to order, to arrange, to command

Definition

to assign, prescribe, or order (something or someone) toward a particular outcome or action; in most contexts, to instruct or command authoritatively. The primary sense involves the formal or official issuance of orders or instructions, whether by an individual in authority or by an impersonal directive. Extended senses include commissioning or designating an individual for a role or a task.

Semantic Range

to command officially, to prescribe, to instruct formally, to appoint or designate to a task, to enjoin, to issue an order

Root / Etymology

From πρός (towards, to) and τάσσω (to arrange, appoint, order); meaning 'to arrange toward', i.e., to assign or command in the direction of a task, role, or conduct.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, προστάσσω rarely appears, but its cognates (e.g., προστάτης 'one who stands before, a leader or protector') are more common. The verb itself is mainly found in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, especially in administrative, military, and legal contexts. In the Septuagint, προστάσσω frequently translates Hebrew verbs meaning 'to command' (e.g., צִוָּה), conveying official or divine orders. In the New Testament, the term appears for authoritative commands, often with a sense of commissioning or enjoining from a higher authority (human or divine). It differs from more general verbs for 'say' or 'speak' (e.g., λέγω) and from παραγγέλλω ('to instruct' or 'give a message'), in that προστάσσω more strongly implies a position of authority and the formal character of the order. English translations often render as 'command', 'order', or 'direct', but the Greek carries a nuance of structured or delegated authority which may be absent in generic 'to tell' or 'to say'.

Translation Consistency

primary "order" 5 occurrences

prostássō primarily means to issue an authoritative instruction or directive (and can also designate or appoint). “Order” is the most natural, common English verb that captures the authoritative sense found in the SILEX range and matches the majority of attested renderings (e.g. “ordered”), while remaining flexible enough to cover related senses like prescribing or commissioning.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"having been commanded" (1x) "having been authoritatively assigned" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πρός and τάσσω; to arrange towards, i.e. (figuratively) enjoin:--bid, command.

Root Family

προστάσσω (prostassō) — to assign, to order, to arrange, to command

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4367-01 προσέταξεν prosetaxen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG commanded he/she ordered he ordered 5
G4367-02 προστεταγμένα prostetagmena V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N PL things commanded the things having been ordered having been commanded 1
G4367-03 προστεταγμένους prostetagmenous V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M PL appointed having been authoritatively assigned having been authoritatively assigned 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4367-01 Matthew 1:24 προσέταξεν prosetaxen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG commanded he/she ordered he/she ordered
G4367-01 Matthew 8:4 προσέταξεν prosetaxen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG commanded he/she ordered he ordered
G4367-01 Mark 1:44 προσέταξεν prosetaxen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG commanded he/she ordered he ordered
G4367-01 Luke 5:14 προσέταξεν prosetaxen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG commanded he/she ordered he ordered
G4367-02 Acts 10:33 προστεταγμένα prostetagmena V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N PL things commanded the things having been ordered having been commanded
G4367-01 Acts 10:48 προσέταξεν prosetaxen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he commanded he/she ordered he ordered
G4367-03 Acts 17:26 προστεταγμένους prostetagmenous V PRF PASS PTCP ACC M PL appointed having been authoritatively assigned having been authoritatively assigned
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