Greek word · G4015

περιαστράπτω

periastraptō

to shine

Built from peri ('around') and astraptō ('to flash, to lighten', as in lightning; compare astrapē, 'lightning'). It means to flash or blaze all around something, either sending out lightning-like light or being surrounded by it. The word is rare.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

περι-αστράπτω

[in LXX: 4Ma.4:10 * ;]

to flash around: with accusative, Acts 9:3; before περί Acts 22:6 (Eccl, and Byzant.).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 9:3

Range of meaning

Built from peri ('around') and astraptō ('to flash, to lighten', as in lightning; compare astrapē, 'lightning'). It means to flash or blaze all around something, either sending out lightning-like light or being surrounded by it. The word is rare. In the New Testament it appears only here and in Paul's retelling at Acts 22:6.

Against the English

KJV, ESV and WEB say 'shone (round) about'. That is accurate but mild, closer to a lamp than a lightning strike. BSB, NIV and NASB say 'flashed around', which keeps the lightning in the word. Some versions drop the 'around'. The word describes Saul enclosed by the light, not lit from one side.

How it drifted

No real drift. 'Shone' is simply weaker than the Greek.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Jewish writings, 4 Maccabees 4:10 uses the same verb for angels on horseback, 'flashing with their weapons', who appear in order to stop Apollonius when he tries to plunder the Jerusalem temple treasury. The related verb exastraptō appears in Luke 9:29, where Jesus' clothing becomes 'dazzling' at the Transfiguration, and Luke 24:4 describes the angels' clothes as 'gleaming like lightning' (astraptousē). For Luke, lightning-light marks the presence of heavenly beings.

Where it appears

Acts · 2

  1. Acts 9:3 περιήστραψεν flashed around

    As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

    Here: Formed from 'around' and 'to flash like lightning'. The light did not merely glow. It struck all around him the way lightning does. The past tense (aorist) presents it as a single sudden event.

  2. Acts 22:6 περιαστράψαι shining

    About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.