Original Word: προχειροτονέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: procheirotoneó
Pronunciation: pro-khi-ro-to-NEH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (prokh-i-rot-on-eh'-o)
Definition: To appoint, to choose, to elect
Meaning: I choose or appoint beforehand.

Word Origin: From πρό (pro, "before") and χειροτονέω (cheirotoneó, "to appoint by raising hands")

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "procheirotoneó," the concept of appointing leaders is present in the Old Testament. For example, the Hebrew verb מָנָה (manah, Strong's H4487) can mean "to appoint" or "to assign."

Usage: The verb "procheirotoneó" is used in the New Testament to describe the act of appointing or choosing someone for a specific role or task, often with the implication of a formal or public selection process. It conveys the idea of making a deliberate choice or decision, typically in a leadership or service context.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of appointing leaders or officials often involved a public process, sometimes including a vote or the raising of hands. This practice was common in civic and religious assemblies. In the early Christian church, the appointment of leaders such as elders or deacons was an important aspect of maintaining order and ensuring the faithful transmission of apostolic teaching.

4401 proxeirotonéō (from 4523 /Saddoukaíos, "before" and 5500/xeironteneō, "stretch out the hand") – properly, "extend the hand before" (used only in Ac 10:41).

4401/proxeirotonéō ("God's hand extended before") illustrates how God, the Creator, plans out all the physical scenes of our lives before the foundation of the world (cf. Ps 139:16; Is 43:13 - 45:7). For example, the Lord's hand determined who would be the initial witnesses of Christ's resurrection (Ac 10:41).

Reflection: God is always in charge . . . because He is always "previous!"

Word Origin
from pro and cheirotoneó
Definition
to appoint beforehand
NASB Translation
chosen beforehand (1).

STRONGS NT 4401: προχειροτονέω

προχειροτονέω, προχειροτόνω: perfect passive participle προκεχειροτονημενος; (see χειροτονέω); to choose or designate beforehand: Acts 10:41. (Plato, legg. 6, p. 765 b. c. (Aeschines, Demosthenes), Dio Cassius, 50, 4.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

choose before.

From pro and cheirotoneo; to elect in advance -- choose before.

see GREEK pro

see GREEK cheirotoneo

Forms and Transliterations

προκεχειροτονημενοις προκεχειροτονημένοις prokecheirotonemenois prokecheirotoneménois prokecheirotonēmenois prokecheirotonēménois

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts