περιαιρέω
periairéō
G4014 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To remove or take away that which surrounds or covers; to strip off, to take away entirely. In various contexts, refers to the act of removing something encircling, whether material (such as clothing, coverings, chains, or an anchor) or metaphorical (such as guilt or sin).
Semantic Range
to remove what is around, to strip off (clothing, coverings, fetters), to take away entirely, to release (anchors), to remove guilt (figurative), to eliminate or expiate (figurative)
Root / Etymology
Formed from the preposition περί (around) and the verb αἱρέω (to take, seize, remove); literally, 'to take away from around.' Cognate with the compound form of the verb from the same root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, περιαιρέω describes the act of removing something that surrounds—such as garments, encumbrances, or even the taking off of fetters. Usage in Hellenistic and Koine literature continues this literal sense, commonly of stripping off clothing or removing physical objects. In the Septuagint, it is used in both literal (e.g., removing coverings) and figurative senses (removal of sin, opprobrium, or divine wrath). In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 27:20, 40), it specifically describes removing anchors—a technical nautical action—and is not figurative in this context. Elsewhere in Greek, figurative uses appear for the removal of guilt, punishment, or symbolic burdens. Standard English translations sometimes use 'take away,' 'remove,' or 'cast off,' which generally capture the sense but do not always make explicit the sense of removal from around or encircling. The word is distinct from αἱρέω (to take) by its intensive or completive sense, and from simple verbs meaning 'to remove' by its emphasis on surroundingness or complete stripping off.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from περί and αἱρέομαι (including its alternate); to remove all around, i.e. unveil, cast off (anchor); figuratively, to expiate:--take away (up).
Root Family
περιαιρέω (periaireō) — to remove, to strip off, to take away entirely
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4014-03 |
περιελόντες | perielontes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having cast off | having stripped off | 2 |
G4014-04 |
περιῃρεῖτο | periereito | V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG |
was...abandoned | was being stripped away | 1 |
G4014-02 |
περιελεῖν | perielein | V AOR ACT INF |
to strip off entirely | 1 | |
G4014-01 |
περιαιρεῖται | periaireitai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
is being stripped away | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4014-04 |
Acts 27:20 | περιῃρεῖτο | periereito | V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG |
was...abandoned | was being stripped away |
G4014-03 |
Acts 27:40 | περιελόντες | perielontes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
having cast off | having stripped off |
G4014-03 |
Acts 28:13 | περιελόντες | perielontes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
we sailed around | having stripped off |
G4014-01 |
2 Corinthians 3:16 | περιαιρεῖται | periaireitai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
is being stripped away | |
G4014-02 |
Hebrews 10:11 | περιελεῖν | perielein | V AOR ACT INF |
to strip off entirely |