What does προϋπάρχω (proÿpárchō) mean in the Bible?
προϋπάρχω (proÿpárchō) is a Greek word meaning "be formerly".
Greek · G4391
προϋπάρχω
Be formerly
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
προϋπάρχω G4391
Pronunciation proÿpárchō
What does προϋπάρχω (proÿpárchō) mean in the Bible?
προϋπάρχω (proÿpárchō) is a Greek word meaning "be formerly".
Full entry for προϋπάρχω (G4391) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G4391?
The BSB source-word alignment has 2 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include before this [time] (1), Prior to that time (1).
Where does προϋπάρχω (proÿpárchō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Luke 23:12. Its strongest book concentrations include Acts (1), Luke (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It before this [time] 1× Luke 23:12
Prior to that time 1× Acts 8:9
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Luke 23:12
Aligned rows 2
Books represented 2
Luke 1 Acts 1
Source forms
προϋπῆρχεν 1x proupērchen Acts 8:9
προϋπῆρχον 1x proupērchon Luke 23:12
Parsing patterns
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural 1x Luke 23:12
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 1x Acts 8:9
Evidence Summary
Greek word. be formerly
Source Gloss
be formerly
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
2 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
Luke 23:12 Verb Third Person Plural Imperfect Active Indicative
προϋπῆρχον prouphrcon
I have been already
Read verse Acts 8:9 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
προϋπῆρχεν prouphrcen
I have been already
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 1 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
imperfect 1
Voice
active 1
Mood
indicative 1
NT Occurrences
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Origins
προϋπάρχω is built from these roots:
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain