Original Word: προχειρίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: procheirizó
Pronunciation: pro-khi-rid'-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (prokh-i-rid'-zom-ahee)
Definition: To appoint, to designate, to choose
Meaning: I appoint, choose, elect, take into hand.

Word Origin: From the Greek words πρό (pro, meaning "before" or "in front of") and χειρίζω (cheirizó, meaning "to handle" or "to manage").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "procheirizó," the concept of appointing or choosing is reflected in Hebrew words like בָּחַר (bachar, Strong's H977), meaning "to choose" or "to select."

Usage: The verb "procheirizó" is used in the New Testament to denote the act of appointing or designating someone for a specific role or task. It implies a deliberate and purposeful selection, often under divine guidance or authority. This term is typically used in contexts where individuals are chosen for ministry or leadership roles within the early Christian community.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of appointing individuals to specific roles was common in both civic and religious contexts. Leaders were often chosen based on their qualifications, character, and perceived ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. In the early Christian church, the act of appointing leaders was seen as a spiritual and communal decision, often accompanied by prayer and fasting, reflecting the belief that such appointments were guided by the Holy Spirit.

4400 proxeirízomai (from 4253 /pró, "before" and 5495/xeir, "hand") – properly, "hand-picked before." 4400/proxeirizomai ("divinely hand-picked") refers to God's sovereign hand choosing people to be His agents (like the apostle Paul).

Word Origin
from a comp. of pro and cheir
Definition
to put into the hand, to take into one's hand, hence to determine
NASB Translation
appoint (1), appointed (2).

STRONGS NT 4400: προχειρίζω

προχειρίζω (πρόχειρος at hand (cf. πρό, d. ἆ.) or ready): 1 aorist middle προεχειρισαμην; perfect passive participle προκεχειρισμενος; to put into the hand, to deliver into the hands: far more frequent in the middle to take into one's hands; tropically, to set before oneself to propose, to determine; with an accusative of the person to choose, to appoint (Isocrates, Polybius, Dionysius Halicarnassus, Plutarch, others; 2 Macc. 3:7 2Macc. 8:9; Exodus 4:13): followed by an infinitive of purpose, Acts 22:14; τινα with a predicate accusative Acts 26:16; τινα with a dative of the person for one's use, Joshua 3:12; for one's salvation, passive, Acts 3:20 for Rec. προκεκηρυγμένον (cf. προκηρύσσω, 2).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

choose, make.

Middle voice from pro and a derivative of cheir; to handle for oneself in advance, i.e. (figuratively) to purpose -- choose, make.

see GREEK pro

see GREEK cheir

Forms and Transliterations

προεχειρισατο προεχειρίσατό προκεχειρισμενον προκεχειρισμένον προχείρισαι προχειρισασθαι προχειρίσασθαί προχειρίσασθε πρόχειρος procheirisasthai procheirísasthaí proecheirisato proecheirísató prokecheirismenon prokecheirisménon

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