προτρέπομαι
protrépomai
G4389 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To direct, urge, or impel oneself or another forward; in middle voice, to encourage or exhort oneself or others, often with the intention of stirring up action, motivation, or positive resolve. The primary sense involves causing a turning or movement forward, whether literally or figuratively (e.g., moral encouragement, advising, urging toward good conduct). Additional senses include urging someone on to a goal or prescribed conduct.
Semantic Range
to encourage, to exhort, to urge forward, to incite, to motivate, to impel toward action, to direct or move someone or oneself forward
Root / Etymology
From the preposition πρό ('before, forward') and the root of τροπή ('turning, change'), from τρέπω ('to turn'). In the middle voice (προτρέπομαι), the sense is reflexive or for oneself, often with an ethical or motivational nuance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in Classical literature (notably in philosophical and rhetorical contexts) as well as Hellenistic and Koine. In classical sources, προτρέπω and its middle/passive forms often appear with the sense of urging or inciting to action, frequently found in exhortative addresses or encouragements. In the New Testament and early Christian writings, its usage typically centers on encouragement or exhortation to ethical or religious behavior. English translations often render it as 'encourage' or 'exhort,' but the Greek emphasizes the proactive, motion-forward aspect, which is less apparent in English. Distinct from παραινέω ('to advise, recommend'), προτρέπομαι bears a stronger sense of urging movement or change.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
middle voice from πρό and the base of τροπή; to turn forward for oneself, i.e. encourage:--exhort.
Root Family
προ- + τρεπ- (protrépomai) — to turn, to urge, to impel
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4389-01 |
προτρεψάμενοι | protrepsamenoi | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL |
having encouraged | having urged forward | having urged forward | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4389-01 |
Acts 18:27 | προτρεψάμενοι | protrepsamenoi | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL |
having encouraged | having urged forward | having urged forward |