from πρός and dokeuo (to watch); to anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await:--(be in) expect(-ation), look (for), when looked, tarry, wait for.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb προσδοκάω (prosdokáō), `{{G4328}}`, is a compound word derived from the preposition πρός (pros), meaning "to" or "toward," and δοκεύω (dokeuō), meaning "to watch" or "to observe." This etymological foundation suggests an active, directed gaze or mental posture towards something. The core meaning of προσδοκάω is "to look forward to," "to expect," or "to anticipate."
Its semantic range is broad and context-dependent:
* **Anticipation:** A general mental or emotional looking forward to an event, whether positive or negative.
* **Hope:** When the anticipation is positive, it conveys the idea of hopeful expectation, eagerly awaiting something good.
* **Fear/Dread:** When the anticipation is negative, it denotes a fearful expectation, dreading what is to come.
* **Waiting/Awaiting:** It can also describe a more neutral or patient waiting for an event or person.
* **Looking For:** A general sense of seeking or expecting the arrival of someone or something.
The nuance of προσδοκάω is critical; it is not merely passive waiting but often implies an active mental or spiritual engagement with the anticipated future.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
προσδοκάω appears 16 times in the New Testament, with various contextual shades:
* **Positive Expectation/Hope:**
* In [[Luke 3:15]], the people were "in expectation" (a form of προσδοκάω) of the Messiah, wondering if John the Baptist was the Christ. This reflects a hopeful anticipation of divine intervention.
* The lame man at the Temple gate "expected" (a form of προσδοκάω) to receive alms from Peter and John in [[Acts 3:5]], demonstrating a specific, hopeful expectation of material gain.
* Most significantly, προσδοκάω is used in an eschatological context for believers. In [[Titus 2:13]], believers are called to be "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Similarly, [[2 Peter 3:13]] speaks of "looking for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." Here, προσδοκάω conveys a profound, active, and purifying hope in God's future promises.
* **Negative Expectation/Fear/Dread:**
* In [[Luke 21:26]], during Jesus' discourse on the end times, men's hearts are described as "failing them for fear and for the expectation" (a form of προσδοκάω) of what is coming upon the earth. This highlights a terrifying dread of impending judgment and cosmic upheaval.
* The barbarians in [[Acts 28:6]] "expected" (a form of προσδοκάω) Paul to swell up or suddenly die after being bitten by a viper, an expectation rooted in superstitious fear and judgment.
* A chilling use is found in [[Hebrews 10:27]], describing those who willfully sin after receiving knowledge of the truth as having "a fearful expectation (a form of προσδοκάω) of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries." This is a stark warning of impending divine wrath.
* **Neutral Waiting/Anticipation:**
* John the Baptist's disciples ask Jesus in [[Matthew 11:3]], "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for (a form of προσδοκάω) another?" This is a question of identification and anticipation.
* In [[Acts 1:4]], Jesus commands His disciples to "wait for (a form of προσδοκάω) the promise of the Father," referring to the Holy Spirit. This signifies a patient, obedient waiting.
* Cornelius "was waiting for" (a form of προσδοκάω) Peter in [[Acts 10:24]], a straightforward description of awaiting someone's arrival.
The versatility of προσδοκάω demonstrates how the same active mental posture can be directed toward vastly different outcomes, eliciting hope in some and terror in others.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek words share semantic overlap with προσδοκάω, yet each possesses distinct nuances:
* `{{G4327}}` (προσδοκία - prosdokía): This is the noun form of προσδοκάω, meaning "expectation" or "anticipation." It often appears in contexts of collective hope or fear, as in [[Luke 21:26]] ("the expectation of those things which are coming").
* `{{G553}}` (ἀπεκδέχομαι - apekdéchomai): Meaning "to eagerly await" or "to wait with earnest expectation." This word often conveys a stronger sense of eager longing and patient endurance than προσδοκάω, particularly in eschatological contexts (e.g., [[Romans 8:19]], [[1 Corinthians 1:7]]). While προσδοκάω can be neutral or fearful, ἀπεκδέχομαι almost always implies a hopeful, earnest waiting.
* `{{G1551}}` (ἐκδέχομαι - ekdéchomai): Similar to προσδοκάω, meaning "to wait for" or "to expect." It can be used for both positive and negative expectations, such as waiting for a promise ([[Hebrews 11:10]]) or for judgment ([[Hebrews 10:33]]). προσδοκάω often emphasizes the *mental* act of anticipation, while ἐκδέχομαι can be more about the *act* of waiting.
* `{{G4358}}` (προσκαρτερέω - proskarteréō): Means "to persevere," "to continue steadfastly," or "to attend constantly." While not a direct synonym for "expect," it describes the persistent posture often associated with waiting or anticipating, especially in prayer or devotion ([[Acts 1:14]], [[Acts 2:42]]).
The concept of προσδοκάω is intrinsically linked to theological concepts such as hope, patience, vigilance, and eschatology. It underscores the active nature of faith in anticipating God's future actions.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of προσδοκάω is profound, particularly in its eschatological applications.
1. **The Nature of Christian Hope:** For believers, προσδοκάω encapsulates the active, purifying hope in the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of God's perfect kingdom. This is not a passive wish but an eager, expectant looking forward that shapes present conduct. The "blessed hope" of [[Titus 2:13]] motivates believers to live "soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age." The expectation of "new heavens and a new earth" in [[2 Peter 3:13]] spurs holiness and blamelessness. This active anticipation transforms the believer's priorities and worldview.
2. **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** The dual nature of προσδοκάω highlights God's sovereign control over future events. While it is a source of comfort and assurance for the faithful, it also serves as a solemn warning for those who reject Christ. The "fearful expectation of judgment" in [[Hebrews 10:27]] underscores the gravity of apostasy and the certainty of divine retribution for unrepentant sin. This demonstrates that God's future interventions are a source of salvation for some and condemnation for others.
3. **Active Engagement with the Future:** προσδοκάω compels believers to engage actively with the future realities promised by God. It calls for vigilance, preparedness, and perseverance. The Christian life is framed by this forward-looking posture, recognizing that the present is lived in light of what is to come. This expectation is a dynamic force that impacts prayer, evangelism, and ethical living.
4. **Faith and Patience:** The act of "looking for" or "expecting" something from God inherently requires faith in His promises and His character. It also often demands patience, especially when the anticipated event is delayed, as seen in the disciples "waiting for" the Holy Spirit in [[Acts 1:4]].
### Summary
προσδοκάω (`{{G4328}}`) is a versatile Greek verb signifying an active "looking forward," "expecting," or "anticipating." Rooted in the idea of directed watching, its meaning ranges from hopeful expectation to fearful dread, depending on the context. In the New Testament, it is crucially employed to describe the Christian's purifying hope in the glorious return of Jesus Christ and the new creation ([[Titus 2:13]], [[2 Peter 3:13]]), motivating godly living. Conversely, it also portrays the terrifying anticipation of judgment for the unrepentant ([[Luke 21:26]], [[Hebrews 10:27]]). προσδοκάω thus underscores the active, faith-filled posture of believers who live in vigilant expectation of God's future acts, whether in salvation or judgment, shaping their present lives in light of these certainties. It is not a passive waiting, but a dynamic engagement with what is to come.
TRV