Lexical Summary prophéteuó: To prophesy, to speak forth by divine inspiration, to predict Original Word: προφητεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance prophesy. From prophetes; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office -- prophesy. see GREEK prophetes HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4395 prophēteúō (from 4253 /pró, "before" and 5346 /phēmí, "assert by elevating one statement over another") – properly, "speak forth" in divinely-empowered forthtelling or foretelling; prophesy. In the NT, prophesy (4395 /prophēteúō) occurs 28 times, usually of forthtelling which reveals the mind (message) of God in a particular situation. 4395 /prophēteúō ("prophesy") can also refer to foretelling, i.e. predicting the future as the Lord reveals it. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom prophétés Definition to foretell, tell forth, prophesy NASB Translation prophesied (5), prophesies (3), prophesy (16), prophesying (3), prophetesses (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4395: προφητεύωπροφητεύω; future προφητεύσω; imperfect προεφήτευον (Acts 19:6 R G) and ἐπροφήτευον (ibid. L T Tr WH; (1 Kings 22:12); Jer. ( a. universally, Matthew 7:22. b. with the idea of foretelling future events pertaining especially to the kingdom of God: Matthew 11:13; Acts 2:17, 18; Acts 21:9; περί τίνος, Matthew 15:7; Mark 7:6; 1 Peter 1:10; ἐπί τίνι, over i. e. concerning one (see ἐπί, B. 2 f. β'., p. 234a), Revelation 10:11; εἰς τινα (i. e. Christ), the Epistle of Barnabas 5, 6 [ET]; προφητεύειν followed by λέγων, with the words uttered by the prophet, Jude 1:14; followed by ὅτι, John 11:51. c. to utter forth, declare, a thing which can only be known by divine revelation: Matthew 26:68; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:64, cf. 7:39; John 4:19. d. to break forth under sudden impulse in lofty discourse or in praise of the divine counsels: Luke 1:67; Acts 19:6 (1 Samuel 10:10, 11; 1 Samuel 19:20, 21, etc.); — or, under the like prompting, to teach, refute, reprove, admonish, comfort others (see προφήτης, II. 1 f.), 1 Corinthians 11:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 13:9; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 3, 4, 5, 24, 31, 39. e. to act as a prophet, discharge the prophetic office: Revelation 11:3. (On the word see Trench, N. T. Synonyms, § vi.) Topical Lexicon Summary of Biblical Usage The verb behind Strong’s Greek 4395 appears twenty-eight times in the Greek New Testament. The range of contexts is broad: pronouncements by inspired speakers (Luke 1:67), Spirit-filled utterance in congregational worship (1 Corinthians 14:1-39), Old Testament predictions recalled (Matthew 11:13), mockery of Christ (Matthew 26:68), sovereign declarations through unlikely instruments (John 11:51), and end-time witness (Revelation 11:3). Together these texts present prophesying as Spirit-prompted speech that reveals, interprets, or applies God’s will. Continuity with Old Testament Prophecy Jesus affirms that “all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John” (Matthew 11:13). The New Testament thus regards earlier prophecy as authoritative Scripture, while asserting that the same divine Spirit still speaks. The Day of Pentecost signals this continuity: Peter quotes Joel, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy” (Acts 2:17), framing Christian prophecy as the fulfillment of Old Testament expectation. Foretelling and Forthtelling Although prediction is included (for example John 11:51; Revelation 11:3), most occurrences stress forthtelling—Spirit-empowered proclamation that exposes hearts, exhorts, and consoles. “He who prophesies speaks to men for edification, encouragement, and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3). Thus prophecy is less about timetable speculation and more about present application of divine truth. Prophesying and the Holy Spirit Every legitimate instance is grounded in the Spirit’s initiative. Luke records, “Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied” (Luke 1:67). Pentecost fulfills Joel: “I will pour out My Spirit…they will prophesy” (Acts 2:18). The gift list in 1 Corinthians underscores that prophecy operates “according to the measure of faith” granted by the Spirit (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:10). Prophesying in the Ministry of Jesus Ironically, the Gospels twice couple the word with ridicule: “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?” (Matthew 26:68; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:64). Yet Jesus Himself embodied the prophetic office, foretelling His death and resurrection and declaring the kingdom. The mockery highlights human blindness to true prophetic authority. Congregational Prophecy in Corinth 1 Corinthians supplies the fullest treatment. Paul urges, “Pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1). Up to all believers may speak in turn: “You can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged” (1 Corinthians 14:31). Regulation (verses 29-33) protects order and doctrine, demonstrating that spontaneity is never detached from accountability. Participation of Women Both genders receive the gift. Philip’s four unmarried daughters “prophesied” (Acts 21:9). In Corinth “every woman who prays or prophesies” is addressed (1 Corinthians 11:5). This accords with Joel’s promise of sons and daughters prophesying, affirming the Spirit’s impartial distribution while maintaining apostolic instructions on decorum. Prophecy as Eschatological Witness Revelation employs the term for apostolic recommissioning: “You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations” (Revelation 10:11), and for the two witnesses who “will prophesy for 1,260 days” (Revelation 11:3). New-covenant prophecy therefore persists until the consummation, bearing testimony to Christ amid tribulation. Sober Warnings Not all prophetic claims are genuine. Jesus foresees professing believers who plead, “Did we not prophesy in Your name?” yet hear His rejection (Matthew 7:22-23). Discernment is essential; prophecy must align with apostolic teaching and the character of Christ. Historical Significance The early Church Fathers recognized the continuance of true prophecy alongside the completed canon, while rejecting heretical or extra-biblical additions. Throughout history, revivals have often been accompanied by renewed prophetic exhortation calling the Church back to Scriptural fidelity. Ministry Application Today Believers are still called to “excel in gifts that build up the church” (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:12). Biblically-defined prophecy functions to: Pursued in humility, submitted to biblical testing, and exercised in love, the gift remains a vital means by which the risen Christ edifies His body and advances His kingdom. Forms and Transliterations επροφητευον επροφήτευον ἐπροφήτευον επροφητευσαμεν ἐπροφητεύσαμεν επροφητευσαν επροφήτευσαν ἐπροφήτευσαν επροφήτευσας επροφητευσεν ἐπροφήτευσεν προεφήτευον προεφήτευσα προεφητεύσαμεν προεφήτευσαν προεφήτευσας προεφήτευσε προεφήτευσεν προεφήτευσον προφητεύει προφητευειν προφητεύειν προφητεύεις προφητευητε προφητεύητε προφητευομεν προφητεύομεν προφητεύοντας προφητεύοντες προφητεύοντι προφητεύοντος προφητευόντων προφητευουσα προφητεύουσα προφητευουσαι προφητεύουσαι προφητευούσας προφητεύουσι προφητεύουσιν προφητευσαι προφητεύσαι προφητεῦσαι προφητεύσαντα προφητευσαντες προφητεύσαντες προφητεύσας προφητεύσει προφητεύσεις προφητεύση προφητεύσης προφητεύσητε Προφητευσον Προφήτευσον προφητευσουσιν προφητεύσουσιν προφητευων προφητεύων προφητευωσιν προφητεύωσιν epropheteuon eprophēteuon eprophḗteuon epropheteusamen epropheteúsamen eprophēteusamen eprophēteúsamen epropheteusan eprophēteusan eprophḗteusan epropheteusen eprophēteusen eprophḗteusen proepheteusen proephēteusen proephḗteusen propheteuein propheteúein prophēteuein prophēteúein propheteuete propheteúete prophēteuēte prophēteúēte propheteuomen propheteúomen prophēteuomen prophēteúomen propheteuon propheteúon prophēteuōn prophēteúōn propheteuosin propheteúosin prophēteuōsin prophēteúōsin propheteuousa propheteúousa prophēteuousa prophēteúousa propheteuousai propheteúousai prophēteuousai prophēteúousai propheteusai propheteûsai prophēteusai prophēteûsai propheteusantes propheteúsantes prophēteusantes prophēteúsantes Propheteuson Prophēteuson Prophḗteuson propheteusousin propheteúsousin prophēteusousin prophēteúsousinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 7:22 V-AIA-1PGRK: σῷ ὀνόματι ἐπροφητεύσαμεν καὶ τῷ NAS: Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, KJV: have we not prophesied in thy name? INT: your name did we prophesy and [in] Matthew 11:13 V-AIA-3P Matthew 15:7 V-AIA-3S Matthew 26:68 V-AMA-2S Mark 7:6 V-AIA-3S Mark 14:65 V-AMA-2S Luke 1:67 V-AIA-3S Luke 22:64 V-AMA-2S John 11:51 V-AIA-3S Acts 2:17 V-FIA-3P Acts 2:18 V-FIA-3P Acts 19:6 V-IIA-3P Acts 21:9 V-PPA-NFP 1 Corinthians 11:4 V-PPA-NMS 1 Corinthians 11:5 V-PPA-NFS 1 Corinthians 13:9 V-PIA-1P 1 Corinthians 14:1 V-PSA-2P 1 Corinthians 14:3 V-PPA-NMS 1 Corinthians 14:4 V-PPA-NMS 1 Corinthians 14:5 V-PSA-2P 1 Corinthians 14:5 V-PPA-NMS 1 Corinthians 14:24 V-PSA-3P 1 Corinthians 14:31 V-PNA 1 Corinthians 14:39 V-PNA 1 Peter 1:10 V-APA-NMP Strong's Greek 4395 |