"to pray, offer prayer, Mt. 5:44; 6:5, 6"
Definition and meaning
to pray, offer prayer, Mt. 5:44; 6:5, 6
In the original Greek the word is written: προσεύχομαι
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 proseuchomai (G4336) across the King James Bible.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
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.
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
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Common questions
Strong's G4336 (proseuchomai) is a Greek word that means: to pray, offer prayer, Mt. 5:44; 6:5, 6 It appears 81 times in the King James Bible.
The word proseuchomai (G4336) appears 81 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4336 is proseuchomai, a Greek word defined as: to pray, offer prayer, Mt. 5:44; 6:5, 6. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
proseuchomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.