Word Study for G4326 (προσδέομαι)

prosdéomai /pros-deh'-om-ahee/ Ask about this word

Meaningto require additionally, i.e. want further

KJV usageneed.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of prosdéomai — 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 prosdéomai, represented by G4326, means to need or to require additionally. It appears only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible. Though rare, its singular use makes a profound statement about the nature of God, defining Him as being utterly without want or deficiency.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The only scriptural use of G4326 is in Acts 17:25, where it is stated that God is not worshipped with men's hands as though He needed any thing. This context establishes the absolute self-sufficiency of God. The verse immediately contrasts this lack of need with God's role as the universal Giver, who provides life, breath, and all things. The word is used to differentiate the true God from any created being or idol that might depend on its worshippers for sustenance or honor.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its sole context illuminate the concept of God's self-sufficiency:

G1325 dídōmi (to give): This word provides a direct contrast to needing. The verse states that God does not need, because He is the one who giveth all things to all Acts 17:25.
G2323 therapeúō (to wait upon menially... to adore... to relieve): This clarifies the nature of worship. God is not worshipped as if to serve a deficiency or relieve a need within Him Acts 17:25.
G2222 zōḗ (life): This is specified as one of the things God gives. As the ultimate source of life, He cannot logically be dependent on that which He creates Acts 17:25.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4326 is immense, despite its single appearance. It underpins several core doctrines about God's character.

Divine Self-Sufficiency: The word is a cornerstone for understanding that God is entirely complete in and of Himself. He has no requirements and does not need anything from creation Acts 17:25.
God as Source: By negating God's need, the verse emphasizes His role as the ultimate source. He is the Giver of life G2222 and breath G4157, not a recipient of them.
The Purpose of Worship: The term implies that worship is not a transaction to fulfill a divine need. Instead, it is the proper response of dependent creation toward an all-sufficient Creator.

Summary

In summary, G4326 is a precise and powerful word that, in a single use, defines a fundamental attribute of God. It establishes that He does not need anything, standing in stark contrast to humanity's dependence. This concept frames God as the absolute, self-sufficient Giver, shaping the Christian understanding of His nature and the meaning of worship.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists one rendering for this word. It is counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the number is how many of them use it. Select it to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

προσδεόμενός

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

1 verse, all in Acts — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

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, by grammatical form, 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.