Greek word · G4292
προκαλέω
prokaleō
to provoke
Literally "call forth". In the middle voice, as here, it means to challenge someone, especially to single combat, a contest or a dispute. Hence "to provoke, to dare, to call out". The Homeric relative prokalizomai is used of heroes challenging one another to fight in front of the armies.
Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
προ-καλέω, -ῶ
[in LXX: 2Ma.8:11 A * ;]
to call forth.
Most frequently in mid.,
(a) to challenge; hence, to provoke: Galatians 5:26;
(b) to invite (2Mac, l.with).†
(AS)
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
From the study of Galatians 5:26
- Range of meaning
Literally "call forth". In the middle voice, as here, it means to challenge someone, especially to single combat, a contest or a dispute. Hence "to provoke, to dare, to call out". The Homeric relative prokalizomai is used of heroes challenging one another to fight in front of the armies.
- Against the English
KJV/BSB/ESV/WEB "provoking" can sound to a modern ear like "irritating" or "needling". NASB's "challenging" is closer to the picture of calling someone out to a contest.
- How it drifted
English "provoke" has narrowed in everyday speech to "annoy" or "make angry". The Greek word has the shape of a challenge: one party sets itself up and dares others to match it.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Only here in the NT. Common in classical and Hellenistic Greek (e.g., Polybius) for challenging an opponent to battle or summoning someone to a contest or legal dispute.
Where it appears
Galatians · 1
-
Galatians 5:26 προκαλούμενοι, provoking,
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.
Here: Middle participle: "calling one another out", challenging others to a contest of standing, as one would challenge someone to a fight or a match. It shows what empty glory-seeking looks like from the side of those who feel superior.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.