Word Study for G4280 (προερέω)

proeréō /pro-er-eh'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom πρό and ἐρέω

Meaningused as alternate of προέπω; to say already, predict

KJV usageforetell, say (speak, tell) before.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of proeréō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word proeréō, represented by G4280, means to say already, predict, or foretell. It appears 10 times across 9 unique verses in the Bible. The term is used to refer to something that has been stated previously, whether as a prediction of future events, a warning, or a foundational teaching that is being reiterated.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G4280 is used by Jesus to confirm His prophetic authority, stating, "behold, I have foretold G4280 you all things" Mark 13:23 and "Behold, I have told G4280 you before G4280" Matthew 24:25. The Apostle Paul uses the word to remind believers of his previous warnings and instructions, such as when he writes, "As G5613 we said before G4280, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel... let him be accursed" Galatians 1:9. It is also used to refer to the words of Old Testament prophets, as in "as Esaias G2268 said before G4280" Romans 9:29, and to the testimony of the Holy Spirit Hebrews 10:15.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context in which something is "spoken before":

G4302 prolégō (to say beforehand, i.e. predict, forewarn): This word is used alongside G4280 to reinforce a warning, emphasizing the act of foretelling as a form of preparation for what is to come 2 Corinthians 13:2.
G4396 prophḗtēs (a foreteller ("prophet")): This term identifies the individuals, such as the "holy prophets," whose words were "spoken before G4280" to provide foundational truth and predictions 2 Peter 3:2.
G652 apóstolos (an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle")): The words "spoken before" often originate from the apostles, whose teachings form a basis for Christian faith and conduct Jude 1:17.
G4487 rhēma (an utterance; by implication, a matter or topic): This is what was "spoken before." Believers are called to remember the specific "words G4487" which were previously delivered by the apostles and prophets 2 Peter 3:2.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4280 is significant, highlighting the authority of divinely inspired speech.

Divine Foreknowledge: The term is used by Christ to underscore His sovereignty over future events. By telling His disciples things beforehand, He provides assurance that history unfolds according to a divine plan Mark 13:23.
Apostolic Authority: Paul's use of G4280 establishes a direct link between his past teachings and present commands, grounding his authority in the consistency of the message he has delivered (Galatians 1:9, 2 Corinthians 13:2).
Continuity of Revelation: The word connects the testimony of Old Testament prophets, the teachings of Christ, the witness of the Holy Spirit, and the instruction of the apostles, presenting a unified and authoritative body of truth that was "spoken before" for the benefit of believers (Romans 9:29, Jude 1:17).

Summary

In summary, G4280 is more than a reference to past speech; it is a word that establishes authority and continuity. It validates the words of Christ, prophets, and apostles by framing them as foundational, predictive, and binding. The term underscores the importance of remembering and adhering to previously revealed truth as the basis for faith, doctrine, and perseverance.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 10 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Perfect Active Indicative 1st Singular 4×
Perfect Passive Participle Genitive Plural Neuter 2×
Perfect Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
Perfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Perfect Active Infinitive 1×
Perfect Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×

Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 9 verses across 8 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 2 Corinthians (2 verses); never once in the other 19.

Matthew

Mark

Romans

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Hebrews

2 Peter

Jude

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.