προστίθημι

prostíthēmi /pros-tith'-ay-mee/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom πρός and τίθημι
Meaningto place additionally, i.e. lay beside, annex, repeat
KJV usageadd, again, give more, increase, lay unto, proceed further, speak to any more.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word prostíthēmi, represented by G4369, means to place additionally, annex, or repeat. It appears 20 times across 18 unique verses, conveying concepts of adding to something, increasing a quality, or proceeding to do something again. Its core idea is that of addition, whether it be people, possessions, or actions.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G4369 is used to describe both divine and human actions of addition. A significant usage is found in the book of Acts, where the Lord G2962 sovereignly added believers to the early church Acts 2:47. This growth is detailed as thousands were added on a single day Acts 2:41, and later, multitudes of both men G435 and women G1135 were added to the Lord Acts 5:14. Jesus uses the word to make a point about earthly anxieties, asking who by worrying can add a single cubit to their stature (Matthew 6:27, Luke 12:25). The apostles also use it in a plea for spiritual growth, asking the Lord, "Increase our faith" Luke 17:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context in which things are added or increased:

  • G2962 kýrios (Lord): This term for one who is "supreme in authority" is crucial, as it is the Lord who is repeatedly identified as the one who added believers to the church (Acts 2:47, Acts 11:24).
  • G932 basileía (kingdom): This word for "rule" or "realm" establishes a divine priority. Believers are told to first seek the kingdom of God, and then all other necessary things will be added to them (Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:31).
  • G4102 pístis (faith): Defined as "moral conviction" or "reliance upon Christ," faith is the specific quality the apostles G652 asked the Lord to increase in them Luke 17:5.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4369 is evident in several key areas.

  • Divine Sovereignty in Salvation: The use of the word in Acts underscores that the growth of the church is a divine work. It is the Lord who added to the church daily those who were being saved G4982, highlighting God's active role in drawing people to Himself Acts 2:47.
  • God's Provision: The promise that things "shall be added" to those who seek God's kingdom G932 first establishes a principle of divine care and provision, moving the focus from earthly worry to spiritual priority Matthew 6:33.
  • Redemptive-Historical Purpose: In Galatians, the Law is described as having been added because of transgressions until the promised seed would come G2064. This places the Law as a temporary, additional component in God's plan, subordinate to the promise made to Abraham Galatians 3:19.

Summary

In summary, G4369 moves beyond a simple mathematical function. It describes the dynamic action of God in building His church, providing for His followers, and unfolding His historical purposes. Whether it is believers being added to the Lord, provisions being added to the faithful, or the Law being added for a time, the word consistently points to an action that builds upon, and is often initiated by, a divine plan.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 18 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms.

  • 2nd Aorist Middle Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
  • Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
  • Future Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
  • 2nd Aorist Active Infinitive 2×
  • 2nd Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Singular 1×
  • 2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • 2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Passive Infinitive 1×
  • Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Imperfect Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Future
Action yet to take place.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Middle
The subject acts on or for itself.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 18 verses across 6 books. Most frequent in Luke (7 verses).

2
Matthew
1
Mark
7
Luke
6
Acts
1
Galatians
1
Hebrews

Verse Explorer

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