"former, prior, Eph. 4:22; before, formerly, Jn. 6:62"
Definition and meaning
former, prior, Eph. 4:22; before, formerly, Jn. 6:62
In the original Greek the word is written: πρότερος
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
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 proteros (G4386) across the King James Bible.
What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;
Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
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Common questions
Strong's G4386 (proteros) is a Greek word that means: former, prior, Eph. 4:22; before, formerly, Jn. 6:62 It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word proteros (G4386) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4386 is proteros, a Greek word defined as: former, prior, Eph. 4:22; before, formerly, Jn. 6:62. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
proteros is a Greek word found in the New Testament.