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προσφάτως

prosphátōs

G4373 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

In a recent manner; newly, not long ago. The adverb προσφάτως refers to something that has occurred recently, within a short past interval. Primary sense is 'recently,' denoting events or states that have happened in the near past, but the term may also convey the nuance of 'not previously existing or known before,' stressing freshness or novelty depending on context.

Semantic Range

recently, newly, freshly, not long ago, in a recent manner

Root / Etymology

Derived from the adjective πρόσφατος (recent, new, lately slain), itself from πρός (towards, at, or before) + a root φατος (related to φάγ), indicating something newly brought near, newly slain, or recently occurred. Connected etymologically with the idea of 'freshness' or 'newness.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

προσφάτως is a rare adverb in Koine Greek, with sparse attestations outside biblical literature. In New Testament usage (notably Hebrews 10:20), it serves to emphasize the newness, recentness, or unprecedented nature of an event—often with respect to significant acts or revelations. The core sense of 'recently' is preserved from classical into Koine, but in specific Hellenistic-Jewish contexts (such as the Epistle to the Hebrews), it may take on added significance in contrasting a new access, way, or occurrence with former conditions. English translations often render it simply as 'recently' or 'lately,' which faithfully captures the temporal aspect but may understate the connotation of novelty or distinction from previous reality found in some contexts. Related adjectives like καινός (new, fresh) and νέος (young, new) overlap in meaning, but προσφάτως stresses recentness more than mere novelty.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

adverb from πρόσφατος; recently:--lately.

Root Family

προσφάτως (prosphatōs) — recently, newly, freshly, lately

Root προσφατ- recent, newly, freshly, lately

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4373-01 προσφάτως prosphatos ADV recently recently recently 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4373-01 Acts 18:2 προσφάτως prosphatos ADV recently recently recently
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