"pr. that which appears in front, that which is put forward to hide the true state of things; a fair show or pretext, Acts 27:30; a specious cloak, Mt. 23:13; 1 Thess. 2:5; an excuse, Jn. 15:22"
Definition and meaning
pr. that which appears in front, that which is put forward to hide the true state of things; a fair show or pretext, Acts 27:30; a specious cloak, Mt. 23:13; 1 Thess. 2:5; an excuse, Jn. 15:22
In the original Greek the word is written: πρόφασις
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 prophasis (G4392) across the King James Bible.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
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Common questions
Strong's G4392 (prophasis) is a Greek word that means: pr. that which appears in front, that which is put forward to hide the true state of things; a fair show or pretext, Acts 27:30; a specious cloak, Mt. 23:13; 1 Thess. 2:5; an excuse, Jn. 15:22 It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word prophasis (G4392) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4392 is prophasis, a Greek word defined as: pr. that which appears in front, that which is put forward to hide the true state of things; a fair show or pretext, Acts 27:30; a specious cloak, Mt.. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
prophasis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.