The Greek verb prosanapainō means to go up higher, to ascend further, or to move to a more elevated position. It occurs once in the New Testament (Luke 14:10) in Jesus' parable about humility at a banquet — a single appearance that carries significant wisdom teaching.
In Luke 14:10, Jesus instructs: When you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, Friend, move up to a better place. Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. Prosanapainō is the invitation to move higher — but it can only be received, not seized. This parable embodies the theological principle that runs throughout Scripture: God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). The path of true exaltation always passes through humility. Jesus Himself is the supreme example — the one who descended to the lowest place (Philippians 2:8) was exalted to the highest (Philippians 2:9-11).