Lexicon
προφητεύω
prophēteuō
G4395
G:V Greek

to prophesy

28
Occurrences
9
Books
Greek
Language

Propheteuo is to speak prophetically: for building and comfort, about coming events, or to identify what is hidden.

The verb most often denotes prophetic speech addressed within a gathered setting, where its stated outcomes include building, encouragement, comfort, learning, and examination. It also marks declarations concerning persons or events, including what Jesus was about to suffer, grace to come, and peoples and kings; in three hostile commands, it challenges Jesus to identify the person who struck him.

Senses in use

  1. Prophetic speech for the hearers' good · dominant

    In 1 Corinthians 14:3 the present active participle identifies the person speaking to people “for building and encouragement and comfort” in the APB rendering. The same participial form in 1 Corinthians 14:4 is contrasted with speaking in a tongue because the assembly is built up, while 1 Corinthians 14:31 connects speaking one by one with all learning and being comforted.

  2. Prophetic declaration concerning people or events · common

    In John 11:51 the aorist active indicative introduces a statement that Jesus was about to die for the nation; in Jude 1:14 it introduces Enoch's saying about the Lord coming with holy myriads. Revelation 10:11 uses the aorist infinitive with the required message concerning peoples, nations, languages, and kings.

  3. Calling for disclosure of an unseen striker · occasional

    In Matthew 26:68, Mark 14:65, and Luke 22:64, the aorist active singular imperative is addressed to Jesus after his face is covered or while he is being struck. The APB renders the command “Prophesy!” and follows it with the demand to name who struck him.

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the supplied verses, the APB regularly uses forms of “prophesy,” including “prophesied” and the imperative “Prophesy!” In 1 Corinthians 14:3 it supplies the surrounding purpose of speaking for “building and encouragement and comfort,”.

Passages featuring this word

Across Scripture