περίκειμαι
períkeimai
G4029 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To surround, encircle, be placed or situated around something; to be wrapped or adorned with, especially in the sense of something tightly or closely encircling. In figurative usage, to be beset, burdened, or weighed down (especially by something encircling or enveloping, such as clothing, chains, or abstract burdens). The primary meaning involves physical placement around an object or person, with secondary senses of restriction, adornment, or encumbrance.
Semantic Range
to surround, to encircle, to be wrapped with, to be adorned with, to be bound with, to be beset by (figurative), to be weighed down by, to be clothed with (metaphorical), to be enclosed by
Root / Etymology
From the preposition περί ('around, about') and κεῖμαι ('to lie, to be situated, to be set or placed'). The compound thus has the sense of 'to be set around' or 'to lie around.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, περίκειμαι is used with both literal and metaphorical force. Literally, it can denote something physically encircling or encompassing, such as clothing, chains, or obstacles (e.g., garments that wrap around the body, chains around a prisoner). Figuratively, it is used to describe being surrounded or beset by circumstances or abstract conditions (burdens, troubles, responsibilities). In the New Testament (e.g., Heb 5:2, 12:1), it often conveys the idea of being surrounded (as by weakness or sin). In the LXX and contemporary Koine usage, the term is used for objects or conditions that enclose or envelope a subject from every side. English translations often render it as 'be compassed about,' 'be encircled,' or 'be weighed down with.' These translations may not fully convey the nuance of both physical encirclement and the figurative sense of being encompassed by immaterial things such as difficulties or obligations. The related verb περιβάλλω also carries the nuance of 'putting around' or 'clothing.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from περί and κεῖμαι; to lie all around, i.e. inclose, encircle, hamper (literally or figuratively):--be bound (compassed) with, hang about.
Root Family
περίκειμαι (perikeimai) — to lie around, to be situated around, to be set around, to encircle
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4029-03 |
περίκειται | perikeitai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
were hung | is wrapped around | 3 |
G4029-02 |
περικείμενον | perikeimenon | V PRS MID PTCP ACC N SG |
being wrapped around | 1 | |
G4029-01 |
περίκειμαι | perikeimai | V PRS PASS IND 1P SG |
I wear | I am encircled | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4029-03 |
Mark 9:42 | περίκειται | perikeitai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
were hung | is wrapped around |
G4029-03 |
Luke 17:2 | περίκειται | perikeitai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
were hung | is wrapped around |
G4029-01 |
Acts 28:20 | περίκειμαι | perikeimai | V PRS PASS IND 1P SG |
I wear | I am encircled |
G4029-03 |
Hebrews 5:2 | περίκειται | perikeitai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
is wrapped around | |
G4029-02 |
Hebrews 12:1 | περικείμενον | perikeimenon | V PRS MID PTCP ACC N SG |
being wrapped around |