from πρός and ἐάω; to permit further progress:--suffer.
Transliteration:proseáō
Pronunciation:pros-eh-ah'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb προσεάω (proseáō), Strong's `{{G4330}}`, is a compound word formed from the preposition πρός (pros), meaning "to," "toward," or "in addition to," and the verb ἐάω (eáō), `{{G1439}}`, meaning "to allow," "to permit," or "to let go." The combination yields a nuanced meaning: "to permit further progress," "to allow to proceed," or "to suffer to go on." It implies a permission or non-hindrance specifically related to continued movement or advancement in a particular direction. Unlike the simpler ἐάω, προσεάω emphasizes the allowance of an *ongoing* action or the *continuation* of a journey or process. It suggests a lack of intervention to stop or divert something already in motion, thereby permitting its advancement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word προσεάω appears only once in the New Testament, found in the book of Acts:
* **[[Acts 27:7]]**: "And when we had sailed slowly for many days, and had arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, because the wind did not permit us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone."
In this verse, the context is Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome. The ship encounters strong headwinds that prevent it from maintaining its intended course. The phrase "the wind did not permit us to proceed" (οὐκ προσεῶντος ἡμᾶς τοῦ ἀνέμου) vividly describes the inability of the ship to make further progress against the adverse natural forces. The winds were so strong that they effectively "did not suffer" or "did not allow" the ship to continue its direct course. This single occurrence highlights the word's specific application to physical movement and the impedance or allowance thereof. It is not a matter of human will or decision, but of external circumstances (the wind) dictating the ship's ability to proceed.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding προσεάω is enhanced by examining related terms and concepts:
* **ἐάω (`{{G1439}}`)**: The base verb, meaning "to allow," "to permit," "to let go." προσεάω is a more specific form, adding the sense of "further" or "continued" allowance, especially in terms of progress or movement. While ἐάω can refer to general permission, προσεάω focuses on the non-impediment of an ongoing process.
* **ἀφίημι (`{{G863}}`)**: Meaning "to send away," "to let go," "to permit," "to forgive." While ἀφίημι can overlap in the sense of "to let go" or "to permit," it carries a broader semantic range including release from obligation or sin, which is distinct from the progressive allowance of προσεάω.
* **ἐπιτρέπω (`{{G2010}}`)**: Meaning "to permit," "to allow," "to entrust." This word often implies a more formal or authoritative permission, such as "to grant leave" or "to give authority," whereas προσεάω describes a less active, more passive allowance of continuation.
* **Hindrance and Progress**: The concept of προσεάω is inherently tied to the ideas of progress and the forces that either permit or hinder it. In [[Acts 27:7]], the wind acts as a hindering force, preventing the "further progress" that the ship sought. This highlights the interplay between human intention and external circumstances.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence in a narrative context, προσεάω carries subtle theological weight. In the account of Paul's voyage, the inability of the ship to "proceed further" according to its intended course underscores the reality of divine sovereignty over natural forces and human plans. While the wind is the immediate agent of hindrance, the broader narrative of Acts consistently demonstrates God's overarching control, even through adverse circumstances, to accomplish His purposes.
The fact that the ship "could not proceed" (οὐκ προσεῶντος) does not mean God was absent or uncaring. Rather, it illustrates that even when human efforts are thwarted by seemingly random natural phenomena, God's ultimate plan for Paul to reach Rome is still being worked out, albeit through a different, more circuitous and dangerous route. The word implicitly points to the limitations of human agency in the face of forces beyond their control, forces that are ultimately under God's providential hand. It serves as a reminder that God's will is often accomplished not in the absence of difficulties, but precisely through them, redirecting paths and shaping outcomes according to His divine wisdom.
### Summary
προσεάω (`{{G4330}}`) is a precise Greek verb meaning "to permit further progress" or "to allow to proceed," emphasizing the non-hindrance of an ongoing movement or process. Its sole occurrence in [[Acts 27:7]] vividly depicts the ship's inability to continue its direct course due to strong winds, highlighting the power of external forces to prevent desired advancement. Theologically, this unique usage underscores God's sovereignty over natural elements and human endeavors. Even when human plans for progress are "not permitted" by circumstances, God's ultimate purposes are still advanced, often through unexpected or challenging paths, demonstrating His providential control over all things.
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