4286. prothesis

Lexical Summary

prothesis: Purpose, setting forth, plan, intention

Original Word: πρόθεσις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: prothesis
Pronunciation: PRO-thes-is
Phonetic Spelling: (proth'-es-is)
KJV: purpose, shew(-bread)
NASB: purpose, consecrated, resolute, sacred
Word Origin: [from G4388 (προτίθεμαι - displayed publicly)]

1. a setting forth
2. (figuratively) proposal (intention)
3. (specially) the show-bread (in the Temple) as exposed before God

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

purpose, showbread.

From protithemai; a setting forth, i.e. (figuratively) proposal (intention); specially, the show-bread (in the Temple) as exposed before God -- purpose, shew(-bread).

see GREEK protithemai

HELPS Word-studies

4286 próthesis (from 4253 /pró, "before" and 5087 /títhēmi, "purposefully set forth") – properly, providence – literally, "a setting forth in advance for a specific purpose ("God's pre-thesis").

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from protithémi
Definition
a setting forth, i.e. fig. proposal, spec. the showbread, sacred (bread)
NASB Translation
consecrated (3), purpose (7), resolute (1), sacred (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4286: πρόθεσις

πρόθεσις, προθέσεως, ἡ (προτίθημι);

1. the setting forth of a thing, placing of it in view (Plato, Demosthenes, Plutarch); οἱ ἄρτοι τῆς προθέσεως (Vulg.panes propositionis), the showbread, the Sept. for הַפָנִים לֶחֶם (Exodus 35:13; Exodus 39:18 (); 1 Kings 7:48 ()), and הַמַּעֲרֶכֶת לֶחֶם (1 Chronicles 9:32; 1 Chronicles 23:29); twelve loaves of wheaten bread, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel, which loaves were offered to God every Sabbath, and, separated into two rows, lay for seven days upon a table placed in the sanctuary or anterior portion of the tabernacle, and afterward of the temple (cf. Winer, RWB, under the word Schaubrode; Roskoff in Schenkel see p. 213f; (Edersheim, The Temple, chapter ix., p. 152ff; BB. DD.)): Matthew 12:4; Mark 2:26; Luke 6:4 (οἱ ἄρτοι τοῦ προσώπου, namely, Θεοῦ, Nehemiah 10:33; ἄρτοι ἐνωπιοι, Exodus 25:29); ἡ πρόθεσις τῶν ἄρτων (the rite of) the setting forth of the loaves, Hebrews 9:2.

2. a purpose (2 Macc. 3:8; (Aristotle), Polybius, Diodorus, Plutarch): Acts 27:13; Romans 8:28; Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 3:11; 2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:10; τῇ προθέσει τῆς καρδίας, with purpose of heart, Acts 11:23.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong's Greek number 4286 describes an action of deliberate setting forth, whether of bread before God or of intentions and plans. Scripture applies the term to three principal spheres: the sacred “bread of presentation,” the sovereign purpose of God, and the conscious resolve of human beings. The contexts together underscore that what is deliberately set before the Lord—objects, plans, or lives—belongs ultimately to Him.

Showbread: Sacred Presentation before God

Matthew 12:4; Mark 2:26; Luke 6:4; Hebrews 9:2

In the Tabernacle and Temple the twelve loaves were placed “before the LORD” as a perpetual memorial (Leviticus 24:5-9). Jesus appeals to this ordinance when defending His disciples’ Sabbath actions, reminding His hearers that mercy precedes ritual and that a greater-than-temple presence now stands among them. Hebrews 9:2, while reviewing the furnishings of the first room of the sanctuary, names the “consecrated bread,” linking it to the larger argument that earthly symbols pointed forward to Christ’s perfect ministry. The repeated mention of the showbread highlights the abiding truth that worship involves purposeful presentation and that fellowship with God is sustained by provision that He Himself ordains.

Ministry significance:
• The showbread typifies Christ as the bread of life, ever in God’s presence on behalf of His people.
• It teaches congregations to approach worship intentionally, bringing their best before the LORD.
• It legitimizes works of necessity and compassion on the Sabbath, as affirmed by Jesus.

Divine Purpose and Sovereign Plan

Romans 8:28; Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 3:11; 2 Timothy 1:9

These verses employ the term for God’s eternal intention, conceived before time and carried out in Christ.
• Romans 8:28: “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” The comfort offered rests on a purpose that is both benevolent and unstoppable.
• Romans 9:11 stresses that election stands “in order that God’s plan of election might stand,” prior to any human merit.
• Ephesians 1:11 grounds the believer’s inheritance in the plan of Him “who works out everything by the counsel of His will,” anchoring assurance in God, not circumstances.
• Ephesians 3:11 calls that plan “eternal,” realized in Christ Jesus, displaying the manifold wisdom of God to heavenly powers.
• 2 Timothy 1:9 locates salvation and calling “before time began,” overthrowing any notion that grace is reactive or provisional.

Theological significance:
• God’s purpose is eternal, wise, and gracious, ensuring that redemption history culminates as He decreed.
• Human responsibility operates within, never over against, this divine plan.
• The doctrine safeguards believers against fatalism by rooting purpose in God’s character of love.

Human Resolve and Apostolic Example

Acts 11:23; Acts 27:13; 2 Timothy 3:10
• Acts 11:23: Barnabas urges the new Gentile believers in Antioch “to remain true to the Lord with a resolute heart,” illustrating how conscious dedication sustains fledgling faith communities.
• Acts 27:13 describes sailors who, thinking they had attained their purpose, set sail—only to meet disaster—offering a sober contrast between human plans and divine overruling.
• 2 Timothy 3:10: Paul reminds Timothy, “You… have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose,” presenting personal resolve as part of the mentor-disciple model.

Pastoral implications:
• Purposeful devotion is essential for growth; exhortation should aim at deliberate, whole-hearted loyalty.
• Ministry leaders must embody purpose: doctrine married to conduct.
• Human purposes are subordinate; they prosper only when aligned with the Lord’s larger design.

Historical Background

In Hellenistic usage the word could denote public placards or plans set forth. The Septuagint employs it for the arrangement of the bread of the Presence. The New Testament writers, steeped in this heritage, draw upon both ceremonial and colloquial senses, allowing the single term to bridge altar and daily life.

Practical Application

1. Worship: Cultivate services that consciously present praise, offerings, and petitions before God, echoing the continual display of the showbread.
2. Assurance: Teach believers to rest in the unchanging divine purpose, especially when circumstances appear chaotic.
3. Mission: Encourage deliberate life-plans that honor Christ; vocational choices, time management, and ministry strategies belong on the table before the Lord.
4. Discipleship: Mentor others by transparently sharing one’s own Christ-centered purpose, as Paul did with Timothy.

Related Concepts

• βουλή (boule) – counsel or will of God (Acts 2:23).
• προορίζω (proorizō) – predestine (Romans 8:29-30).
• θέλημα (thelēma) – will (Ephesians 5:17).

Each term complements Strong’s 4286, together forming a robust biblical doctrine of God’s will and human alignment.

Summary

Across its twelve New Testament occurrences, Strong’s 4286 unites worship, doctrine, and daily living under the banner of purposeful presentation. Whether bread in the Holy Place, the Father’s redemptive plan, or the believer’s steadfast heart, Scripture teaches that what is deliberately set forth before God finds its true meaning and lasting fruit in Him.

Forms and Transliterations

προθεσει προθέσει προθεσεως προθέσεως προθεσιν πρόθεσιν προθεσις πρόθεσις prothesei prothései protheseos protheseōs prothéseos prothéseōs prothesin próthesin prothesis próthesis

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 12:4 N-GFS
GRK: ἄρτους τῆς προθέσεως ἔφαγον ὃ
NAS: and they ate the consecrated bread,
INT: loaves of the presentation he ate which

Mark 2:26 N-GFS
GRK: ἄρτους τῆς προθέσεως ἔφαγεν οὓς
NAS: and ate the consecrated bread,
INT: bread of the presentation ate which

Luke 6:4 N-GFS
GRK: ἄρτους τῆς προθέσεως λαβὼν ἔφαγεν
NAS: and ate the consecrated bread
INT: bread of the presence having taken ate

Acts 11:23 N-DFS
GRK: πάντας τῇ προθέσει τῆς καρδίας
NAS: them all with resolute heart
KJV: them all, that with purpose of heart
INT: all of the resolute purpose of heart

Acts 27:13 N-GFS
GRK: δόξαντες τῆς προθέσεως κεκρατηκέναι ἄραντες
NAS: that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor
KJV: that they had obtained [their] purpose, loosing
INT: having thought the purpose to have gained having weighed [anchor]

Romans 8:28 N-AFS
GRK: τοῖς κατὰ πρόθεσιν κλητοῖς οὖσιν
NAS: according to [His] purpose.
KJV: the called according to [his] purpose.
INT: to those who according to [his] purpose called are

Romans 9:11 N-NFS
GRK: κατ' ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις τοῦ θεοῦ
NAS: that God's purpose according
KJV: that the purpose of God
INT: according to election purpose of God

Ephesians 1:11 N-AFS
GRK: προορισθέντες κατὰ πρόθεσιν τοῦ τὰ
NAS: according to His purpose who works
KJV: according to the purpose of him who worketh
INT: having been predestined according to [the] purpose of him who the

Ephesians 3:11 N-AFS
GRK: κατὰ πρόθεσιν τῶν αἰώνων
NAS: with the eternal purpose which
KJV: the eternal purpose which
INT: according to [the] purpose of the ages

2 Timothy 1:9 N-AFS
GRK: κατὰ ἰδίαν πρόθεσιν καὶ χάριν
NAS: to His own purpose and grace
KJV: his own purpose and
INT: according to his own purpose and grace

2 Timothy 3:10 N-DFS
GRK: ἀγωγῇ τῇ προθέσει τῇ πίστει
NAS: conduct, purpose, faith,
KJV: manner of life, purpose, faith,
INT: conduct the purpose the faith

Hebrews 9:2 N-NFS
GRK: καὶ ἡ πρόθεσις τῶν ἄρτων
NAS: and the table and the sacred bread;
KJV: and the shewbread; which
INT: and the presentation of the loaves

Strong's Greek 4286
12 Occurrences

προθέσει — 2 Occ.
προθέσεως — 4 Occ.
πρόθεσιν — 4 Occ.
πρόθεσις — 2 Occ.