Lexical Definition

‎προηγέομαι‎ proēgéomai (pro-ay-geh'-om-ahee) to prefer ^G:V
from ‎πρό‎ and ‎ἡγέομαι‎

prefer.

• to lead the way for others, i.e. show deference

Abbott-Smith

προ-ηγέομαι, [in LXX: De 20:9 (בְּרוֹשׁ), Pr 17:14 (לִפְנֵי), II Mac 4:40, al.;]
1. to go before as leader (in cl., c. gen., dat.): Ro 12:10 (Chrys., Vg., al.; v. ICC, in l.).
2. In a sense not elsewhere found, ἀλλήλους προηγούμενοι = ἀ. ἡγούμενοι ὑπερέχοντας: Ro 12:10 (ICC, cf. I Th 5:13, Phl 2:3 and EV "preferring").†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

προηγέομαι-έομαι,

go first and lead the way, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τινι for a person, i.e. guide him, τῷ θεῷ [Refs 5th c.BC+]; π. τὴν [ὁδόν] [Refs]; of troops, form the van, [Refs]; π. πᾶσι [τοῖς ποσίν] to have all in front, [Refs 4th c.BC+]

__b precede logically, τινος [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__2 with genitive, take the lead of, τῶν προόδων ἄλλους προόδους.. προηγέομαιεῖσθαι [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of the planets in retrograde motion, get ahead of, ἀπλανῶν ἀστέρων [NT+1st c.BC+]infinitive, προήγημαι τὴν τούτων ἐπίδοσιν ποήσεσθαι have taken the initiative in.., [Refs 1st c.BC+]
__3 of things, τὸ πῦρ μὲν ἀπὸ τούτων τῶν ἱερῶν προηγέομαιεῖται goes before, precedes, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__4 present participle προηγέομαιούμενος, η, ον, going first, τὸ π. στράτευμα the van, opposed to οὐρά, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; preceding, {προηγέομαιεμών}, [Refs 1st c.BC+]
__4.b in Mathematics texts, τὰ π. forward points, i.e. those lying on the same side of the radius vector of a spiral as the direction of its motion, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]
__4.c Astron., τὰ π. ζῴδια signs leading in the daily movement of the heavens, i.e. westerly signs, opposed to ἑπόμενα, [Refs 1st c.BC+]
__4.d τὰ π. initial data, premisses, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; π. οὐσία τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ given, i.e. external to the soul, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; τὰ π. originals of paintings, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__4.e leading, principal, κατὰ π. λόγον according to a guiding principle, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; ὁ π. λόγος, τὸ π. ἔργον, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; σύν τινι προηγέομαιουμένῳ in conjunction with a purpose, [προηγέομαιούμενα δὲ τὰ χειρὸς ἔργα 2nd c.AD: Arrianus Historicus “Epicteti Dissertationes” 3.7.24, compare 3.22.76; ὑπηρετικὰ ἄλλοις, οὐκ αὐτὰ π. [prev. work] 2.8.6 ">Refs 2nd c.AD+]; so in in Mathematics texts, π. θεώρημα leading theorem, opposed to ἀντίστροφον, [Refs 5th c.AD+]
__4.f in Medicine texts, π. αἴτιον predisposing cause, [Refs 1st c.AD+]; π. αἰτίαι antecedent causes, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]
__5 aorist participle, ὁ -ησάμενος the former ἡγεμών, [Refs 4th c.AD+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: Rom.12.10}