### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb προκαταγγέλλω (prokatangéllō, `{{G4293}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition πρό (pro, `{{G4253}}`), meaning "before" or "in advance of," and the verb καταγγέλλω (katangéllō, `{{G2605}}`), which signifies "to proclaim," "to announce thoroughly," or "to declare publicly." Therefore, the core meaning of προκαταγγέλλω is "to announce beforehand," "to proclaim in advance," or "to foretell."
Its semantic range primarily encompasses the idea of pre-announcement, prediction, or prior declaration. It conveys the sense of something being made known or declared publicly *before* its actual occurrence or fulfillment. This is distinct from a mere announcement (καταγγέλλω), as it explicitly adds the temporal element of precedence. The term thus highlights a deliberate, anticipatory declaration, often with an authoritative or prophetic nuance, setting the stage for future events. The supplied glosses—"foretell," "have notice," "(shew) before"—accurately capture this anticipatory and declarative essence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term προκαταγγέλλω appears three times in the New Testament, exclusively in the book of Acts and one Pauline epistle, consistently referring to divine or divinely inspired foretelling:
1. **[[Acts 3:18]]**: "But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled." Here, Peter, addressing the crowd in Solomon's Portico, asserts that God "before had shewed" (προκατήγγειλεν) through the prophets the necessity of Christ's suffering. This is a direct reference to Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's passion. The use of προκαταγγέλλω underscores God's deliberate and prior revelation of His redemptive plan, specifically the suffering of the Christ, which has now been fulfilled in Jesus.
2. **[[Acts 7:52]]**: "Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers." In Stephen's powerful defense before the Sanhedrin, he accuses his audience's ancestors of persecuting and killing the prophets who "shewed before" (προκατήγγειλαν) the coming of the Righteous One (Jesus). Similar to [[Acts 3:18]], this highlights the prophetic foretelling of the Messiah's advent, emphasizing that God's plan was announced long in advance through His chosen messengers.
3. **[[Romans 9:29]]**: "And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha." Paul, discussing God's sovereign choice and the remnant of Israel, quotes Isaiah (Isaiah 1:9). The phrase "said before" (προεκατήγγειλεν) refers to Isaiah's prior prophetic declaration concerning God's preservation of a remnant, without which Israel would have faced complete destruction like Sodom and Gomorrah. This instance reinforces the idea of God's foretelling through His prophets, even concerning difficult truths about judgment and preservation.
In all three contexts, προκαταγγέλλω is used to describe the divine act of foretelling through prophets, specifically concerning the Messiah's suffering and coming, and God's sovereign dealings with His people. It consistently points to a divinely orchestrated plan revealed in advance.
### Related Words & Concepts
προκαταγγέλλω shares semantic space with several other Greek words and concepts related to prophecy and divine communication:
* **καταγγέλλω (katangéllō, `{{G2605}}`)**: The base verb, meaning "to proclaim" or "to announce." προκαταγγέλλω adds the crucial element of "beforehand" to this proclamation.
* **προφητεύω (prophēteuō, `{{G4395}}`)**: "To prophesy," "to speak under divine inspiration." While prophecy often involves foretelling, it can also involve forth-telling (speaking God's word for the present). προκαταγγέλλω specifically emphasizes the predictive aspect.
* **προλέγω (prolegō, `{{G4277}}`)**: "To say beforehand," "to predict." This term is very close in meaning to προκαταγγέλλω, often used interchangeably in contexts of prior declaration.
* **προγινώσκω (proginōskō, `{{G4267}}`)**: "To know beforehand," "to foreknow." This refers to God's prior knowledge, which undergirds the ability to προκαταγγέλλω. God's foreknowledge enables His foretelling.
* **ἀναγγέλλω (anangéllō, `{{G312}}`)**: "To announce," "to report." This is a more general term for conveying information.
The core concept underlying προκαταγγέλλω is divine foresight and the authoritative declaration of future events. It is deeply intertwined with the doctrines of prophecy, divine sovereignty, and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of προκαταγγέλλω is profound, underscoring several key aspects of God's character and His interaction with humanity:
1. **God's Sovereignty and Foreknowledge**: The consistent use of προκαταγγέλλω to describe God's prior announcements (through prophets) highlights His absolute sovereignty over history. He is not reacting to events but orchestrating them according to a pre-determined plan. This implies His perfect foreknowledge, as He declares what will happen before it does.
2. **Reliability of God's Word**: The fact that God "foretold" (προκατήγγειλεν) certain events, particularly the suffering and coming of the Messiah, and then brought them to pass, testifies to the unwavering reliability and truthfulness of His word. What God announces beforehand is certain to be fulfilled. This provides immense assurance to believers regarding God's promises.
3. **Continuity of Redemptive History**: προκαταγγέλλω links the Old Testament prophetic tradition directly to the New Testament fulfillment in Christ. The apostles consistently appealed to these "foretold" prophecies to demonstrate that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Messiah, whose life, death, and resurrection were not accidental but part of God's ancient, declared purpose.
4. **The Role of Prophets**: The term defines the crucial role of the prophets as God's spokesmen, entrusted with the task of delivering His pre-announced will and plan to humanity. They were not merely moral reformers but instruments through whom God revealed His future intentions.
5. **The Centrality of Christ**: All biblical occurrences of προκαταγγέλλω relate directly to the Messiah—His suffering, His coming, and the divine plan surrounding Him. This emphasizes Christ as the focal point of God's eternal purposes and the ultimate fulfillment of all divine foretelling.
### Summary
προκαταγγέλλω (prokatangéllō, `{{G4293}}`) is a powerful Greek verb meaning "to announce beforehand" or "to foretell." It is used exclusively in the New Testament to describe God's prior declarations through His prophets, particularly concerning the suffering and coming of the Messiah, and His sovereign dealings with Israel. The term underscores God's meticulous planning, His perfect foreknowledge, and the absolute reliability of His prophetic word. It serves as a theological bridge, connecting Old Testament prophecy with its New Testament fulfillment, thereby affirming the continuity of God's redemptive plan and the centrality of Christ within that plan. The occurrences of προκαταγγέλλω thus provide profound insight into the nature of divine revelation and the certainty of God's promises.
TRV