[Greek] προβάλλω (proballō), [Latin] producere, [Latin] propellere, [Latin] promovere: to throw before, to put forth, to push to the front, to sprout leaves; Lk.21:30, Acts 19:33
Paul Preaching before the Temple of Diana at Ephesus: painting by Adolf Pirsch (1885)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to throw before, to lay before, to put forward, to speak in a riddle, to expose, to give up, to stick out, to set before, to challenge a person, to protect, to cover oneself, to guard against, to accuse, and to attack. Putting forward can include horses, strife, arguments, pleas, problems, challenges, accusations, barriers, and appointments. Throwing forward can involve exposing, defeating, surpassing, and casting (nets). Plato’s Sophist 261 states “It certainly seems strange, for he seems to have no end of defenses, and when he throws one of of them up, his opponent has first to fifth through it before he can reach the man himself.” Plato’s Charmides 162b states “Then it is perfectly certain, in my opinion, that he propounded it as a riddle, in view of the difficulty of understand what ‘doing one’s business can mean’” Demosthenes’ Philippic 3 states “I call upon him to move a resolution and to do something and to play us no tricks.” Isaeus’ Apollodorus 7.3 states “I should have brought forward witnesses to show the estate is not liable to adjudication.” Xenophon’s Hellenica 1.7.35 states “They voted that complaints be brought against anyone who deceived the people.”
Old Testament: This term, having various meanings, can mean to speak in riddles, to teach, to point, to throw (cast) out, to polish, and to shoot. Speaking in riddles often conveys knowledge (wisdom) in the form of parables. Pointing out involves also conveying wisdom and teaching. Throwing or casting out involves banishment, stones, and nets. Shooting involves arrows and other weapons. Scouring and polishing involve the cleaning and maintenance of utensils, vessels, and weapons. Son of man, put forth a riddle, and tell this proverb to the house of Israel (Eze.17:2). No then go, and I, even I, will be your mouth, and teach you what you are to say (Exo.4:12). Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea (Exo.15:4). But we have cast them down (Num.21:30). They make ready their arrow upon the string to shoot in darkness at the upright in heart (Psa.11:2). I will cast lots for you here before the Lord our God (Jos.18:6). Send me away to my master (Gen.24:40). So he put out his hand and took it (2Kgs.5:24).
New Testament: Interestingly, this term really does not play any significant role in the New Testament. This term refers to a fig trees’ buds bursting forth and being pushed forward. Luke mentions that fig trees’ buds bursting foretell that summer and the kingdom of God are near. In Ephesus, the silversmiths were becoming very disturbed about how Christianity (and Paul) were disrupting their pagan way of life. The silversmiths were bursting forth in their anger. Paul enraged a great number of Jews in saying that these hand-made gods were no gods at all. The Jews brought forth Alexander in response to this disturbance. Alexander, a Jewish silversmith, perhaps was going to denounce this Christian teaching.
Scripture:
“When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is near.” Lk.21:30
This refers to the lesson of the fig tree, foretelling that the kingdom of God is near.
“Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, as the Jews pushed him forward, and Alexander signaled with his hand that he wished to explain something to the gathering.” Acts 19:33
Alexander was perhaps going to denounce the Christian beliefs about worshiping idols. Alexander also was perhaps going to denounce his Jewish faith, since he was also a silversmith.
Etymology: This term is derived from (pro-), meaning before and ballein, meaning to throw. Essentially, this term means to throw something (idea, question, riddle, or suggestion). A problem was originally some sort of action. It wasn’t until the 1400’s when a problem becomes a difficulty. In the 1500’s a problem becomes identified with math. Metabolism is the change of chemical processes within the body. A parabola is a mathematical intersection of a cone. A parable is essentially something (a teaching) alongside. Ballistic pertains to the construction or use of thrown objects.
Figs: Figs were so important to the economy that the ancient Greeks banned their export to other nations. Sykon watchers (sycophants) were often hired to watch these valuable commodities. These sycophants informed the authorities of those fig farmers who illegally sold or stole figs. A sycophant, working for someone, sometimes may extort or make false accusations against other fig traders (competitors).
Conclusion:
Problem, parable, metabolism, ballistic, produce, propel
It was interesting to learn about the original etymological meaning of the related Greek noun problema. This is essentially something proposed or brought forward. This term is quite frequently used in many ways and meanings in the Greco-Roman era. I certainly can see how a philosopher would speak in riddles to convey some wisdom. Plato’s Sophist 261a interestingly alludes to the concept of a ‘problem”, when one has to overcome the many defenses of a sophist (philosophical “wise guy”).
I was also surprised by the extensive use of this term in the Old Testament. I also can imagine a rabbi speaking in riddles (parables) to his disciples. I think it goes without saying one has a problem when one needs to cast out an enemy by banishment, condemnation, or death. It is not surprising that these ideas are related to each other.
I was also surprised by the very limited use of this term in the New Testament. Again, it is not surprising that Alexander was brought forward in response to the problem of silversmiths in Ephesus. Paul was becoming a problem to the silversmiths’ way of life. The related Greek parable (a teaching thrown along side) takes much greater prominence as Jesus conveys His teachings to the disciples.
Current events: Like the riotous silversmiths, Antifa and BLM are throwing down (assaulting, injuring, and killing), rioting, and looting in several cities (Seattle, Portland, Chicago, New York, Kenosha, etc.). If these mayors do not stop this violence and do not support the police, citizens, business, and tourism will leave these cities. (This is already happening now). In a sense, these mayors will be already throwing away this potential tax and tourism revenue. As a result of this political climate, both sides (right and left) are throwing shade (expressing public contempt and criticism) toward each other. The 2020 Democratic presidential nominee has now just accused the 2020 Republican presidential nominee of encouraging and inciting violence! These words are quite inflammatory. Does that mean that we can throw away any notion of personal responsibility for such incendiary actions (rioters) and words (Biden and Portland Mayor Wheeler) ?
An employee (sycophant) who wants to please his/her boss can sometimes be perceived as a “yes-man”, “yes-woman”, “kiss-ass”, or “suck-up” (towing the company line). Then there are those company informers who may extort or make false accusations.
Now that can be a problem!