### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb προσπήγνυμι (prospḗgnymi - `{{G4362}}`) is a compound word derived from the preposition πρός (pros), meaning "to, toward, or in addition to," and the verb πήγνυμι (pēgnymi), meaning "to fix, to make fast, to build, or to pitch (as a tent)." Etymologically, it conveys the sense of "to fasten firmly to" or "to fix upon." While πήγνυμι alone can refer to the act of pitching a tent or constructing something stable, the addition of πρός emphasizes the *attachment* or *adherence* of one thing *to* another. In its specialized New Testament usage, προσπήγνυμι takes on the specific meaning of "to impale" or "to crucify," referring to the act of fastening a person to a cross or stake. This particular semantic development highlights the brutal and secure nature of the attachment inherent in crucifixion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
προσπήγνυμι (prospḗgnymi - `{{G4362}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the pivotal sermon of Peter on the Day of Pentecost:
* **[[Acts 2:23]]**: "this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death."
In this sole occurrence, the word is used to describe the act of crucifying Jesus. Peter directly addresses his Jewish audience, asserting their culpability in the death of the Messiah. The phrase "you nailed Him to a cross" (literally, "you fastened [Him] to [a cross]") employs προσπήγνυμι to underscore the active and deliberate role of human agents in the crucifixion. The context is profoundly theological, juxtaposing the divine "predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God" with the human action carried out "by the hands of godless men." The use of προσπήγνυμι here vividly portrays the physical act of securing Christ to the instrument of His execution, emphasizing the brutal reality of His suffering and death.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek words relate to the concept of crucifixion and suffering, offering nuanced perspectives on the event:
* σταυρόω (stauroō - `{{G4717}}`): This is the most common verb used for "to crucify" in the New Testament. While προσπήγνυμι emphasizes the *act of fastening* to the cross, σταυρόω describes the *entire process and state* of being crucified. προσπήγνυμι could be seen as a specific action within the broader act of σταυρόω.
* ἀνασταυρόω (anastauroō - `{{G388}}`): "to crucify again," used in [[Hebrews 6:6]] to describe the profound apostasy of those who reject Christ after having known Him.
* προσηλόω (prosēloō - `{{G4338}}`): "to nail to." This verb specifically denotes fastening with nails, as seen in [[Colossians 2:14]] where it describes the cancellation of the certificate of debt by nailing it to the cross. While related to the act of fastening, προσπήγνυμι is a broader term for securing, not necessarily limited to nails, though nails were certainly used in crucifixion.
* σταυρός (stauros - `{{G4716}}`): The noun for "cross," the instrument of execution itself.
* Concepts of suffering (πάσχω - paschō - `{{G3958}}`), death (θάνατος - thanatos - `{{G2288}}`), and sacrifice (θυσία - thusia - `{{G2378}}`) are inherently linked to the act described by προσπήγνυμι.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of προσπήγνυμι in [[Acts 2:23]] carries immense theological weight.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility:** The verse presents a profound theological paradox. While God's "predetermined plan and foreknowledge" ordained the crucifixion, human agents were undeniably responsible for the act. προσπήγνυμι highlights this human culpability, emphasizing that it was "by the hands of godless men" that Jesus was fastened to the cross. This affirms both God's overarching control of history and the moral responsibility of individuals for their actions.
2. **The Brutality of the Cross:** The word προσπήγνυμι vividly conveys the harsh reality of crucifixion. It was not a gentle death but a violent, deliberate act of securing a person to an instrument of torture and execution. This underscores the depth of Christ's suffering and the horror of the penalty He bore.
3. **The Centrality of the Atonement:** Though only appearing once, προσπήγνυμι points directly to the pivotal event of salvation history—the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It describes the very act by which the Son of God was affixed to the cross, becoming the atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The act of "fastening to the cross" is the precise moment of His execution, bringing about the reconciliation between God and humanity.
### Summary
προσπήγνυμι (prospḗgnymi - `{{G4362}}`) is a powerful Greek verb meaning "to fasten firmly to" or, in its specific New Testament context, "to impale" or "to crucify." Its single, yet highly significant, occurrence in [[Acts 2:23]] describes the act of securing Jesus to the cross. This word, formed from πρός (to) and πήγνυμι (to fix), underscores the deliberate and brutal nature of Christ's execution. Theologically, it serves to highlight the interplay between God's sovereign plan and human responsibility in the crucifixion, while also emphasizing the profound suffering and sacrificial act that forms the cornerstone of Christian faith. Though rare, its usage powerfully conveys the reality of Christ's death and its foundational importance to the gospel message.
TRV