πρόδρομ-ος G4274
forerunner, one who runs ahead or goes before to prepare the way
Originally used of advance cavalry scouts or fast ships sent ahead of a fleet, this term carried the image of someone blazing the trail for others to follow. Classical Greek applied it to horsemen riding before an army, to morning stars heralding the sun, even to early figs appearing before the main crop. Hebrews 6:20 applies it to Jesus entering the heavenly sanctuary as our forerunner, the first to enter on behalf of those who will follow—a pioneering priest opening access for all who come after him.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The translations uniformly preserve the 'before-running' imagery (Spanish 'precursor,' French 'précurseur,' German 'Vorläufer'). The author of Hebrews uses this vivid metaphor to assure believers that Jesus has already entered the presence of God for us, securing access that we will follow. Unlike the Jewish high priest who entered alone and temporarily, Jesus enters as the permanent forerunner, guaranteeing our eventual arrival. 1×
AR["السَّابِقُ"]·ben["অগ্রদূত"]·DE["Vorlaeufer"]·EN["forerunner"]·FR["précurseur"]·heb["רָץ-קָדִים"]·HI["अग्रदूत"]·ID["pelopor"]·IT["prodromos"]·jav["pelopor"]·KO["선구자로"]·PT["precursor"]·RU["предтеча"]·ES["precursor"]·SW["mtangulizi"]·TR["öncü"]·urd["پیش-رو"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
πρόδρομ-ος, ον, running forward with headlong speed, π. ἦλθον Refs 5th c.BC+; μόλε π. variant in Refs 5th c.BC+ __2 running before, going in advance, π. στρατιή Refs 5th c.BC+; frequently of horsemen in advance of an army, Refs 5th c.BC+; mounted skirmishers, οἱ π. 'guides', a special corps in the Refs 5th c.BC+; also, of light ships, Refs 4th c.AD+ __3 metaphorically, precursor, ἀστέρα.. ἀελίου…