προσανατίθημι (prosanatithēmi)
prosanatithēmi
to confer
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb prosanatithēmi carries the sense of adding something to what already exists, often translated as "to confer" or "to impart." Its core imagery involves laying one thing upon another in addition, which in a social context shifts toward the act of consulting with someone or sharing information. It describes the active process of bringing knowledge or counsel into a relationship.
In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both within Paul’s letters to the Galatians (1:16; 2:6). Here, it captures the dynamic of seeking advice or communicating with fellow leaders. Rather than a passive exchange, it implies a deliberate act of consulting others to gain understanding or confirm a matter of importance.
The word combines prefixes suggesting direction and addition, emphasizing that the communication is an extra layer of engagement added to existing interactions. Translators typically render it as "confer" or "impart," highlighting the relational aspect of sharing counsel rather than just stating facts. This usage underscores the early Christian practice of communal discernment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Paul writes that he did not immediately confer with others after his conversion, he is highlighting a profound independence in his calling. This rare Greek word, prosanatithēmi, suggests adding counsel or sharing information as an extra layer of engagement. It was not that Paul ignored the church, but that his primary commission came directly from Christ, bypassing the usual human approval processes.
This reminds us that while community and advice are valuable, our deepest sense of direction often comes from a personal encounter with God. In Galatians 2:6, we see the reverse side: respected leaders imparted nothing new to him because the truth was already complete in his heart. We can trust that when God speaks, He equips us fully, without needing us to seek validation from every human authority.
It is a comforting thought that our faith does not rely on endless committees or human consensus. Instead, it rests on the reality of Christ revealed within us. This assurance allows us to walk forward with confidence, knowing that our calling is anchored in divine truth rather than shifting opinions.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- added,1×
- I consulted1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προσανέθεντο,1×
- προσανεθέμην1×
Key Verses
-
Galatians 1:16
to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood,
This occurrence highlights Paul's direct commission from Christ, showing that his gospel message did not originate from human consultation.
-
Galatians 2:6
But from those who were reputed to be important—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn’t show partiality to man—they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me,
Here the word describes how respected leaders added no new doctrine to Paul, confirming the sufficiency of the revelation he already received.