Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for προτρέχω, similar concepts of running or advancing quickly can be found in Hebrew verbs such as רוּץ (ruts, Strong's Hebrew 7323), which means "to run," and קָדַם (qadam, Strong's Hebrew 6923), which means "to go before" or "to precede." These terms capture the essence of moving swiftly or advancing ahead, akin to the Greek προτρέχω.

Usage: The verb προτρέχω is used in the New Testament to describe the action of running ahead or moving forward quickly. It is often used in a literal sense but can also imply eagerness or urgency in a figurative context.

Context: The Greek verb προτρέχω appears in the New Testament to convey the idea of moving ahead swiftly, often with a sense of urgency or anticipation. This term is derived from the combination of πρό, meaning "before" or "in front of," and τρέχω, meaning "to run." The imagery evoked by προτρέχω is that of someone who is eager to reach a destination or to achieve a goal, often moving ahead of others.

In the context of the New Testament, προτρέχω is used to describe physical movement, as well as metaphorical advancement. For example, in the account of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:4, the term is used to describe Zacchaeus running ahead of the crowd to climb a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus: "So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him, since Jesus was coming that way" (BSB). This usage highlights Zacchaeus's eagerness and determination to overcome obstacles to encounter Jesus.

The verb προτρέχω can also be understood in a broader spiritual or moral sense, where it may imply the urgency of pursuing righteousness or the Kingdom of God. The action of running ahead can symbolize the believer's proactive approach to faith and the pursuit of spiritual goals.