προβάλλω (proballō)
proballō
to put forth
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb proballō describes the act of putting something forward or pushing it out. In its basic sense, it means to throw before, but in Scripture it takes on a vivid natural image. It is used specifically for trees that shoot forth leaves or branches as they begin to grow.
This word appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus uses it in Luke 21:30 when describing how to recognize summer is near by observing when trees put forth leaves. The imagery connects physical growth with spiritual readiness, suggesting that just as new foliage signals a changing season, certain signs indicate a significant divine moment.
Its root combines pro- (before) and ballō (to throw), emphasizing the forward motion of emergence. Translators typically render it "put forth" or "shoot forth," capturing the active, visible nature of the process. The word highlights a natural progression rather than a sudden event, grounding spiritual observation in everyday experience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word proballō paints a picture of life breaking through. It describes trees that put forth leaves, signaling that summer is near. This simple natural event helps us understand how to recognize important times in our lives. Just as branches emerge from dormant wood, spiritual readiness often shows itself in visible ways before the full season arrives.
When Jesus used this image in Luke 21:30, He pointed to the leaves as a sign that summer was close. We can look for similar signs in our own journeys. These small beginnings are not accidents but indicators of what is coming. They invite us to pay attention to the quiet growth happening around us and within us.
Even when others try to push things forward for their own reasons, as seen in Acts 19:33, we can trust God’s timing. The natural world follows a steady pattern of growth that reflects divine order. We do not need to force the season; we only need to watch and wait with hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- when were thrusting forward1×
- they may sprout1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προβάλωσιν1×
- προβαλόντων1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 21:30
When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near.
Jesus uses this term for budding trees to show that visible signs indicate the nearness of summer, paralleling spiritual readiness.
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Acts 19:33
They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.
This rare non-botanical usage shows Alexander being put forward by the crowd, highlighting human agency rather than natural growth.