"also an improper prep., before, in front of, Lk. 19:4; Phil. 3:14; before, in the presence of, in the face of, Mt. 5:24; 23:14; before, previous to, Jn. 1:15, 27, 30; from the Hebrew, in the sight or estimation of, Mt. 11:26; 18:14"
Definition and meaning
also an improper prep., before, in front of, Lk. 19:4; Phil. 3:14; before, in the presence of, in the face of, Mt. 5:24; 23:14; before, previous to, Jn. 1:15, 27, 30; from the Hebrew, in the sight or estimation of, Mt. 11:26; 18:14
In the original Greek the word is written: ἔμπροσθεν
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of emprosthen (G1715) across the King James Bible.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
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Common questions
Strong's G1715 (emprosthen) is a Greek word that means: also an improper prep., before, in front of, Lk. 19:4; Phil. 3:14; before, in the presence of, in the face of, Mt. 5:24; 23:14; before, previous to, Jn. 1:15, 27, 30; from the Hebrew, in the sight or ... It appears 45 times in the King James Bible.
The word emprosthen (G1715) appears 45 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1715 is emprosthen, a Greek word defined as: also an improper prep., before, in front of, Lk. 19:4; Phil. 3:14; before, in the presence of, in the face of, Mt. 5:24; 23:14; before, previous to, J. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
emprosthen is a Greek word found in the New Testament.