Prolepsis speaks of something in advance, often naming or describing it from the standpoint of what will later be known.
Prolepsis speaks of something in advance, often naming or describing it from the standpoint of what will later be known.
Prolepsis is an anticipatory figure in which a later fact, name, event, or objection is introduced before its chronological or argumentative place.
These examples show how Prolepsis / Anticipation functions in biblical language, rhetoric, poetry, prophecy, narrative, or theological imagery.
Dan
The place is named from a later standpoint, using a later-known name in an earlier narrative setting.
Assyria
The geographic reference may use a name recognizable to later readers.
before any king reigned over Israel
The notice anticipates Israel’s later monarchy from the narrator’s standpoint.
before the testimony
The notice anticipates later tabernacle arrangements in a wilderness narrative context.
Ebenezer
The place-name may reflect a later-known designation in the narrative.
Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him
The betrayal is named proleptically before it occurs in the Gospel narrative.
Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him
The later act of betrayal is introduced in anticipation.
Jesus knew ... who it was who would betray him
The narrative anticipates the later betrayal within the earlier discourse.
Mary who anointed the Lord
The narrator identifies Mary by an act narrated later in John 12.
Judas, who betrayed him
The narrative uses the later-known identity of Judas to identify him.
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