Greek word · G4023

περιέχω

periechō

to contain

To surround or encompass, physically (a wall around a city, an army around a town) or figuratively (troubles, fear or distress gripping someone). It can also mean 'to contain' (e.g. a document 'contains' something, 1 Pet 2:6).

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

What it means

περι-έχω,

[in LXX for H661, H5362 hi., H6822 pi., etc. ;]

1. to surround, encompass: Luke 5:9 (cf. MM, xix).

2. to comprehend, include, contain, esp. of books: with accusative, Acts 23:25, Rec.; accusative to a late usage, intrans. (BL, § 53, 1.3; MM, xix; Hort, in l), it stands written, 1 Peter 2:6.†

(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 Sirach 51:7

Range of meaning

To surround or encompass, physically (a wall around a city, an army around a town) or figuratively (troubles, fear or distress gripping someone). It can also mean 'to contain' (e.g. a document 'contains' something, 1 Pet 2:6).

Against the English

KJV/Brenton 'compassed' is the old English for 'encircled'. Modern readers may hear it as 'compassion' or 'compass (direction)'. WEB 'surrounded' is clear.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), the Psalms of distress use this exact form: 'the pangs of death surrounded me (περιέσχον με), the dangers of Hades found me' (LXX Ps 114:3 = Hebrew Ps 116:3). Jonah's psalm uses related language of waters closing over him (Jonah 2:6 LXX). Luke 5:9 uses the noun-related idea of amazement 'seizing' Peter.

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 5:9 περιέσχεν laid hold

    For he and his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,

1 Peter · 1

  1. 1 Peter 2:6 περιέχει it is contained

    For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

    Here: Used without a subject, meaning 'it stands written' or 'it reads as follows'. This was ordinary wording for citing a document, decree or letter.

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