from πρό and μελετάω; to premeditate:--meditate before.
Transliteration:promeletáō
Pronunciation:prom-el-et-ah'-o
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word προμελετάω (promeletáō) is a compound verb formed from the preposition πρό (pro), meaning "before" or "in advance," and the verb μελετάω (meletáō), which signifies "to care for," "to practice," "to study," or "to meditate." Therefore, its core meaning is "to meditate beforehand," "to prepare by thought," "to premeditate," or "to practice in advance." It denotes a deliberate and intentional mental exercise, involving foresight and a strategic approach to a future event or action. This is not passive contemplation but an active, anticipatory planning or rehearsal in the mind.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term προμελετάω (promeletáō) appears only once in the New Testament: [[Mark 13:11]].
In this pivotal passage, part of Jesus' eschatological discourse concerning the persecution of His followers, He instructs His disciples: "And when they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, do not προμελετάω (promeletáō) what you are to say, but whatever is given you in that hour, that speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit."
The command "do not premeditate" (μὴ προμελετᾶτε) is crucial. It does not forbid all forms of preparation or study in the Christian life. Rather, in this specific context of facing hostile authorities for the sake of the Gospel, it prohibits anxious, self-reliant, or overly calculated preparation of one's defense. Instead, it directs believers to trust implicitly in the immediate inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The emphasis is on divine enablement superseding human ingenuity or the worldly wisdom of meticulously crafting a legal defense. This instruction reassures believers that in moments of extreme pressure and witness, God Himself will provide the necessary words.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **μελετάω (meletáō) `{{G3191}}`**: This is the root verb, meaning "to care for," "to practice," "to study," or "to meditate." While προμελετάω specifically adds the dimension of "beforehand," μελετάω itself can refer to positive and diligent forms of preparation, such as meditating on God's law or diligently practicing a skill. The addition of πρό in προμελετάω intensifies the sense of advance planning, which, in the context of [[Mark 13:11]], is to be avoided.
* **ἀπολογέομαι (apologeomai) `{{G626}}`**: Meaning "to make a defense" or "to speak in defense," this verb describes the act of presenting a case, often in a legal setting (e.g., [[Acts 19:33]], [[Acts 24:10]], [[Acts 26:1]]). While προμελετάω concerns the *preparation* of such a defense, Jesus' instruction in Mark 13:11 implies that the content of the ἀπολογία (defense) will be divinely supplied, not humanly premeditated.
* **μεριμνάω (merimnaō) `{{G3309}}`**: "To be anxious," "to worry," or "to be concerned." In the context of [[Mark 13:11]], the prohibition against προμελετάω carries a strong connotation of avoiding anxious or self-reliant preparation. This resonates with Jesus' broader teachings against worry and anxiety about earthly provisions or future events (e.g., [[Matthew 6:25-34]]). The disciples are called to trust God's provision even for their words, alleviating the burden of anxious premeditation.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of προμελετάω in the New Testament carries profound theological weight, primarily underscoring the themes of divine sovereignty and the believer's absolute reliance on the Holy Spirit, particularly in times of persecution and witness.
1. **Divine Empowerment in Witness:** The command not to premeditate highlights that the believer's witness in the face of opposition is not primarily a product of human cleverness or rhetorical skill, but of divine enablement. It is the Holy Spirit who speaks through the believer, ensuring that the truth of the Gospel is proclaimed with power and authority. This aligns with Jesus' promises regarding the Spirit as the Paraclete, who will teach and remind His followers (e.g., [[John 14:26]], [[John 15:26]]).
2. **Radical Trust and Freedom from Anxiety:** The instruction is a call to radical trust in God's immediate and supernatural provision. It liberates believers from the burden of anxious self-defense, encouraging them to relinquish control and rely completely on God's timing and wisdom. This promotes a profound inner peace, knowing that even in the most daunting circumstances, God is actively at work for His glory and the good of His people.
3. **Contrast with Worldly Wisdom:** The passage implicitly contrasts the world's reliance on strategic planning, human intellect, and eloquent argumentation with the divine economy. In God's kingdom, weakness and dependence on Him become the channels through which His power and truth are most clearly manifested. This counters any temptation to trust in human wisdom over divine leading.
### Summary
προμελετάω (promeletáō) signifies "to meditate beforehand" or "to premeditate." Its sole New Testament appearance in [[Mark 13:11]] is highly instructive. There, Jesus commands His disciples not to προμελετάω what they are to say when brought before authorities for His sake, but to trust that the Holy Spirit will provide the words in that very hour. This instruction underscores a critical theological principle: in moments of intense pressure and witness, believers are to rely not on their own anxious preparation or human ingenuity, but on the immediate inspiration and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The word thus encapsulates themes of divine sovereignty, radical trust in God's provision, and the Spirit's indispensable role as the true Advocate and speaker through His people, liberating them from the burden of self-reliance and empowering them for faithful witness.
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