"early, at early morn" (from pro, "before"), is used as a noun in the feminine form proia, "morning" in Mat 27:1, Joh 21:4 (in some mss. in Mat 21:18, Joh 18:28, for B, No. 1, which see). Its adjectival force is retained by regarding it as qualifying the noun hora, "an hour," i.e., "at an early hour."
a later form of No. 1, qualifies aster, "star," in Rev 2:28, Rev 22:16 (where some mss. have No. 3). That Christ will give to the overcomer "the morning star" indicates a special interest for such in Himself, as He thus describes Himself in the later passage. For Israel He will appear as "the sun of righteousness;" as the "morning" Star which precedes He will appear for the rapture of the church. "early," is translated "in the morning" in Mat 16:3, Mat 20:1 (with hama, "early"); Mat 21:18, Mar 1:35, Mar 11:20, Mar 13:35, Mar 15:1 "early" in Mar 16:2 (with lian, "very;" AV, "early in the morning"); Mar 16:9, Mat 21:18 and Joh 18:28 (in the best texts for A, No. 1); Joh 20:1, Act 28:23 (with apo, "from"). denotes "daybreak, dawn," Luk 24:1, Joh 8:2, Act 5:21; see DAWN, B. "to do anything early in the morning," is translated "came early in the morning," in Luk 21:38.
