Original Word: προσποιέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: prospoieó
Pronunciation: pros-poy-EH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (pros-poy-eh'-om-ahee)
Definition: To pretend, to make a pretense, to feign
Meaning: I pretend, regard, make a show of.

pretend, make as though.

Middle voice from pros and poieo; to do forward for oneself, i.e. Pretend (as if about to do a thing) -- make as though.

see GREEK pros

see GREEK poieo

Word Origin
from pros and poieó
Definition
to attach to, take to oneself, hence to pretend
NASB Translation
acted as though (1).

STRONGS NT 4364: προσποιέω

προσποιέω: middle, present participle προσποιούμενος (see below); imperfect 3 person singular προσεποιεῖτο (Luke 24:28, for which L text T Tr WH give the 1 aorist προσεποιήσατο); in prose writings from Herodotus down; to add to (cf. German hinzumachen); middle

1. to take or claim (a thing) to oneself.

2. to conform oneself to a thing, or rather to affect to oneself; therefore to pretend, followed by an infinitive (A. V. made as though he would etc.), Luke 24:28; κατέγραφεν εἰς τήν γῆν μή προσποιούμενος, John 8:6 according to manuscripts E G H K etc. (cf. Matthaei (1803 edition) at the passage). (So in Thucydides, Xenophon, Plato, Demosthenes, others; Diodorus 15, 46; Philo in Flac. § 6; (in § 12 followed by participle; Josephus, contra Apion 1, 1); Aelian v. h. 8, 5; Plutarch, Timol. 5; (Test xii. Patr., test. Jos. § 3).)

Word Origin: From πρός (pros, meaning "toward" or "in addition to") and ποιέω (poieō, meaning "to make" or "to do").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for προσποιέω, the concept of pretending or deceit can be related to several Hebrew terms, such as:
• Strong's Hebrew 3584: כָּחַשׁ (kachash) • to lie, to deceive, to deny.
• Strong's Hebrew 4820: מִרְמָה (mirmah) • deceit, treachery, fraud.
• Strong's Hebrew 8267: שֶׁקֶר (sheqer) • falsehood, lie, deception.

These Hebrew terms capture the essence of deceit and pretense, similar to the Greek προσποιέω, and are used in various Old Testament passages to describe actions and attitudes that are contrary to truth and righteousness.

Usage: The verb προσποιέω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of pretending or feigning an action or intention. It implies a deliberate attempt to deceive or give a false impression.

Context: The Greek verb προσποιέω appears in the New Testament in contexts where individuals are depicted as pretending or feigning certain actions or intentions. This term is used to describe behavior that is not genuine, often with the intent to deceive others or to present oneself in a false light. The act of προσποιέω is typically viewed negatively, as it involves a lack of sincerity and truthfulness.

In the Berean Standard Bible, προσποιέω is used in Luke 20:20, where it describes the actions of spies sent by the religious leaders to trap Jesus in His words. The verse reads: "So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Him in something He said, so that they might hand Him over to the power and authority of the governor." Here, the use of προσποιέω highlights the duplicity of the spies, who feigned sincerity to achieve their ulterior motives.

The concept of pretending or feigning is addressed throughout Scripture as contrary to the values of truth and integrity upheld by biblical teachings. Believers are encouraged to live authentically and to speak truthfully, reflecting the character of God, who is described as a God of truth.

προσεποιείτο προσεποιήσαντό προσεποιησατο προσεποιήσατο prosepoiesato prosepoiēsato prosepoiḗsatoInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts