The term "Protevangelium" is derived from the Greek words "protos," meaning "first," and "evangelion," meaning "good news" or "gospel." It refers to the first announcement of the gospel found in the Bible, specifically in Genesis 3:15. This verse is often considered the first prophecy of the coming Messiah and the ultimate victory over sin and Satan.

Biblical Context

Genesis 3:15 is situated within the narrative of the Fall of Man. After Adam and Eve disobey God by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, God pronounces a series of judgments. In His address to the serpent, God declares:

"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." (Genesis 3:15)

This verse is pivotal as it introduces the concept of ongoing conflict between the serpent and the woman, and more broadly, between their respective offspring. The "seed of the woman" is interpreted as a reference to Jesus Christ, who would ultimately defeat Satan.

Theological Significance

The Protevangelium is significant for several reasons:

1. Messianic Prophecy: It is seen as the first messianic prophecy in Scripture, foretelling the coming of Christ who would defeat sin and Satan. The "crushing" of the serpent's head symbolizes a decisive victory, while the "striking" of the heel suggests the suffering Christ would endure.

2. Hope and Redemption: In the midst of judgment, Genesis 3:15 offers a glimmer of hope. It assures humanity that despite the fall, God has a redemptive plan. This promise of a Savior is foundational to the unfolding narrative of the Bible.

3. Spiritual Warfare: The enmity between the serpent and the woman, and their respective seeds, highlights the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil. This conflict is evident throughout Scripture and is ultimately resolved through Christ's victory on the cross.

4. Role of the Woman: The reference to the "seed of the woman" is unique, as lineage is typically traced through the male line in biblical genealogies. This has been interpreted as a foreshadowing of the virgin birth of Christ, emphasizing the divine nature of His conception.

Historical Interpretation

Throughout church history, Genesis 3:15 has been a focal point for theologians and scholars. Early Church Fathers, such as Irenaeus and Justin Martyr, identified this verse as a prophecy of Christ's victory over Satan. The Reformers, including Martin Luther and John Calvin, also emphasized its significance as the first gospel promise.

Conclusion

The Protevangelium in Genesis 3:15 is a cornerstone of biblical theology, encapsulating the promise of redemption and the ultimate triumph of Christ over evil. It sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of salvation history, pointing to the hope and restoration found in Jesus Christ.PROTEVANGELIUM, OF JAMES

pro-te-van-jel'-i-um.

See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS, III, 1, (a).

JAMES, PROTEVANGELIUM OF

See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

The Protevangelium.
... THE PROTEVANGELIUM. ... Even according to this interpretation, the passage justly bears
the name of the Protevangelium, which has been given to it by the Church. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the protevangelium.htm

The Protevangelium of James
The Protevangelium of James. <. The Protevangelium of James Unknown. Alexander
Walker, Esq. (Translator) Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the protevangelium of james/

The Protevangelium of James
The Protevangelium of James. <. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the protevangelium of james/title page.htm

Apocryphal Gospels.
... of Pilate. The origines of the traditions are the Protevangelium of James,
the Gospel of Thomas, and the Acts of Pilate. All or ...
/.../unknown/apocrypha of the new testament/part i apocryphal gospels.htm

List of Contents.
... Page Translator's Preface, 7 Author's Preface, 9 The Messianic Prophecies in the
Pentateuch, 11 The Protevangelium, 14 The Blessing of Noah upon Shem and ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/list of contents.htm

Sources and Literature.
... Marcionis, Ev. Judae Ischariotae, Ev. secundum Hebraeos, etc.); (2) Gospels of Joseph
and Mary, and the birth of Christ (Protevangelium Jacobi, Evang. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 14 sources and literature.htm

General Index
... Hippolytus: 72, 74, 77, 88, 96, 104. Isaiah, Ascension of: 41 ff., 78, 139. Jacobi,
Protevangelium: 122. Jesus: meaning of, 16 ff.; power of the Name, 94f, 148. ...
/.../irenaeus/the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/general index.htm

Whether Christ was Born Without his Mother Suffering?
... Objection 3: Further, in the book on the birth of our Saviour [*Protevangelium Jacobi
xix, xx] it is related that midwives were present at Christ's birth; and ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ was born without.htm

The Brethren of Jesus.
... [5264] The Gospel of Peter, of which a fragment was recovered in 1886 and published
in 1892. [5265] Protevangelium Jacobi, c. 9. [5266] Luke 1:35. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/17 the brethren of jesus.htm

James the Brother of the Lord.
... XXIX.4; XXX.16; LXXVIII.13 sq. III.:Apocryphal: Protevangelium Jacobi, ed. in Greek
by Tischendorf, in "Evangelia Apocrypha," pp.1-49, comp. the Prolegg. pp. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 27 james the brother.htm

Protevangelium
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia PROTEVANGELIUM, OF JAMES. pro-te-van-jel'-i-um.
See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS, III, 1, (a). JAMES, PROTEVANGELIUM OF. ...
/p/protevangelium.htm - 6k

Gospels
... SUPPLEMENTARY OR LEGENDARY GOSPELS 1. Gospels of the Nativity (a) Protevangelium
of James (b) Pseudo-Matthew (c) The Nativity of Mary (d) Gospel of Joseph the ...
/g/gospels.htm - 73k

Protests (12 Occurrences)

/p/protests.htm - 10k

Protuberance (1 Occurrence)

/p/protuberance.htm - 7k

Sub-apostolic
... previous articles. For the Protevangelium of James and the Gospel and Apocalypse
of Peter see APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS; APOCRYPHAL ACTS. For ...
/s/sub-apostolic.htm - 38k

Subapostolic
... previous articles. For the Protevangelium of James and the Gospel and Apocalypse
of Peter see APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS; APOCRYPHAL ACTS. For ...
/s/subapostolic.htm - 38k

Heel (8 Occurrences)
... Or if we regard this statement as a part of the Protevangelium, the earliest
proclamation of Christ's final, and complete victory over sin, the destruction of ...
/h/heel.htm - 12k

Apocryphal
... SUPPLEMENTARY OR LEGENDARY GOSPELS 1. Gospels of the Nativity (a) Protevangelium
of James (b) Pseudo-Matthew (c) The Nativity of Mary (d) Gospel of Joseph the ...
/a/apocryphal.htm - 101k

James (40 Occurrences)
... probable that James was martyred about 62 or 63 AD Besides the epistle which bears
his name, James was also the reputed author of the Protevangelium Jacobi, a ...
/j/james.htm - 78k

Revelation (52 Occurrences)
... of God's redemptive revelation from its first beginnings, in the promise given to
Abraham-or rather in what has been called the Protevangelium at the gate of ...
/r/revelation.htm - 89k

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