περιαστράπτω
periastráptō
G4015 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To shine or flash around; to emit light that surrounds or envelops an object; specifically, to cause radiance or illumination to surround someone or something, often in a dazzling or overwhelming manner. The primary sense is a bright or radiant light encircling or enveloping.
Semantic Range
to shine around, to flash around, to envelop in light, to radiate brilliance all around, to surround with light
Root / Etymology
From the preposition περί ('around, about') and the verb ἀστράπτω ('to flash, to gleam, to emit lightning'), thus, 'to flash around' or 'to shine all about'. Compound formation is regular and transparent.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Koine Greek, περιαστράπτω is an uncommon word, found chiefly in literary and religious texts. Notably, it is used in the Lukan account of Paul's Damascus Road experience (Acts 26:13), where a light is described as shining 'round about' (περιαστράψαν) Paul and his companions. The term's usage conveys not merely brightness but a surrounding and overwhelming radiance, distinct from ordinary shining (as conveyed by φῶς or even ἀστράπτω alone). Compared to ἀστράπτω, which merely denotes 'to flash' (often of lightning), περιαστράπτω adds the sense of encircling or enveloping. The standard English translations ('shine round', 'shine around') generally capture the literal image, but may underemphasize the intensity and the all-encompassing aspect implied by περί-. The term is not used in classical Greek and appears to be characteristic of Jewish and Christian religious literature of the Hellenistic and Roman periods, reflecting an intensified or supernatural illumination.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from περί and ἀστράπτω; to flash all around, i.e. envelop in light:--shine round (about).
Root Family
περιαστράπτω (periastraptō) — to flash, to gleam, to emit lightning, to shine around
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4015-01 |
περιαστράψαι | periastrapsai | V AOR ACT INF |
flashed | to flash all around | flashed around | 1 |
G4015-02 |
περιήστραψεν | periestrapsen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
shined | flashed all around | flashed all around | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences