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πρῶτον

prōton

G4412 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root πρῶτ- first, foremost, before all

Definition

As an adverb derived from πρῶτος ('first'), πρῶτον means 'firstly, at first, in the first place.' It primarily denotes precedence in time, sequence, or importance. It can mark the beginning of a sequence of events or actions, designate priority among items or persons, or draw attention to what is of primary significance or order.

Semantic Range

first in time, first in a sequence, first in rank or importance, at the beginning; primarily, chiefly, before anything else; for the first time

Root / Etymology

From the neuter accusative singular of πρῶτος ('first'), the superlative form of πρό ('before, earlier'). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *per- ('forward, before').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πρῶτον most often indicates the beginning of an action or argument, commonly used to itemize points ('firstly, secondly...') or to place emphasis on what comes before others. In the Hellenistic and New Testament period, usage remains stable, with the adverb employed to introduce the first point in a sequence (e.g., Mark 7:27, 16:9; 1 Corinthians 11:18), or to assign primacy in rank or importance. While English translations typically render πρῶτον as 'first,' 'first of all,' or 'before,' the adverb's capacity to indicate order (logical or temporal), as well as importance, should be appreciated. Not to be confused with πρῶτος as an adjective ('first' in rank or order), though semantically related. The nuance between temporal, logical, and emotive primacy depends on context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of πρῶτος as adverb (with or without ὁ); firstly (in time, place, order, or importance):--before, at the beginning, chiefly (at, at the) first (of all).

Root Family

πρῶτον (prōton) — first, foremost, before all

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4413 πρῶτος first

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G4412-01 πρῶτον proton ADV SUPL first firstly 57

Occurrences in Scripture

57 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G4412-01 Matthew 5:24 πρῶτον proton ADV SUPL firstly
G4412-01 Matthew 6:33 πρῶτον proton ADV SUPL firstly
G4412-01 Matthew 7:5 πρῶτον proton ADV SUPL firstly
G4412-01 Matthew 8:21 πρῶτον proton ADV SUPL firstly
G4412-01 Matthew 12:29 πρῶτον proton ADV SUPL firstly
G4412-01 Matthew 13:30 πρῶτον proton ADV SUPL firstly
G4412-01 Matthew 17:10 πρῶτον proton ADV SUPL firstly
G4412-01 Matthew 23:26 πρῶτον proton ADV SUPL firstly
G4412-01 Mark 3:27 πρῶτον proton ADV SUPL first firstly
G4412-01 Mark 4:28 πρῶτον proton ADV SUPL first firstly
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