[Greek] προπετής (propetēs), [Latin] temere agere, [Latin] proterere: acting fearful, falling forward, headstrong, rash, reckless, thoughtless; Acts 19:36, 2Tim.3:4
The angry mob with pitchforks and torches going after Frankenstein. This becomes a precursor to the modern day cancel culture mob.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to incline forward, to become prominent, to be eager to, to be headstrong, to be reckless, to be rash, to be out of control, and to be on the point of something. Xenophon’s Hellenica 2.3.15 states “But when Critias showed himself eager to put many to death, Theeramens opposed him, saying that it was not reasonable to put a man to death because he was honored by the commons.” Xenophon’s Hellenica 6.5.24 states “Therefore, taking into account all these things, they were by no mean eager to proceed to Lacedaemon.” Isocrates’ To Demonicus 1.15 states “Be not found of violent mirth, nor harbor presumption of speech, for the one is folly, the other is weakness.” Xenophon’s Hiero 7.2 states “Yet such mean as you, rush headlong into despotism that you may have honor.” Plato’s Philebus 45a states “Let us take care not to answer hastily and fall into error.”
Old Testament: This term means to be foolish, despising wisdom, quarrelsome, mocking, talking (opening the mouth), and licentious (opening the legs). For anger slays the foolish man, and jealousy kills the simple (Job 5:2). Fools despise wisdom and instruction (Pro.1:7). But the discipline of fools is folly (Pro.16:22). The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest (Pro.29:9). The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin (Pro.13:3). You spread your legs to every passer-by to multiply your harlotry (Eze.16:25).
New Testament: This term means reckless, rash, and thoughtlessness. In Ephesus, the silversmiths were provoked by Paul’s words saying that the gods (shrines) made by hands are not gods at all. The town clerk, concerned by their riotous behavior, was fearful that the Roman authorities would hear of the silversmiths’ disruption of the peace. The town clerk pleaded with them to take their grievances to the court. Paul warns others to reject and avoid recklessness and their consequences. In their foolishness, they will suffer and be unable to find the truth.
“Since these things are undeniable, you must calm yourselves and not do anything rash.” Acts 19:36
The Ephesus town clerk tried to calm down the silversmiths. The town clerk was very fearful of the Roman authorities hearing about this riotous behavior. The town clerk pleaded for the silversmiths to take their concerns to the courts.
Etymology: This term propetes consists of the preposition (pro-), meaning forwards. The Greek verb pipto means to fall. Essentially, this term means to fall forward, doing something rash. The related word rash is derived from the Latin verb rasicare, meaning to scrape. The related word timid is derived from the Latin verb timere, meaning to fear.
Conclusion:
Timid, agent, act, tread
In Greek Hellenism, it was interesting to see how this term conveys one’s inclination to do something. This often results in something reckless or rash like being a tyrant, going into war, or just rushing into something. Oftentimes, these results are foolish.
In the Old Testament, the foolish will mock asking for help, wisdom, or common sense. Opening the mouth may result in slander or foolish statements. Opening the legs may result in licentiousness.
In Ephesus, Paul’s statements about the silversmiths’ shrines provoke their riotous anger. The town clerk is pleading for them to calm down and settle their grievances in the courts. The town clerk is very fearful that the Roman authorities would hear of this disturbance of the peace. The Roman exacted harsh penalties for disruption of the peace. Paul warns about the consequences of rash and reckless actions.
In this toxic and angry cancel culture, we have the media waving their “rhetorical pitchforks and torches” in demonizing others (you can fill in the blank with the many examples). They now don’t even pretend to hide their political bias. Then we have rioters, looters, Antifa, and BLM who are actually making threats (extortion) and are burning down cities. Yet, it also interesting to note that underneath all these cancel culture efforts, there is an underlying insecurity (fear) in acknowledging or countering different thoughts, expressions, or political views. In their failures to respond to this, they essentially “scrape the bottom of the barrel” in terms of acceptable behavior. They then often resort to accusing, bullying and demonizing.
“The angry mob of villagers wield camera phones, the twenty-first century equivalent of pitchforks and flaming torches.” Erin Kelly
“The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” Oswald Chambers