Greek word · G4029

περίκειμαι

perikeimai

to surround

To lie around or surround something (Heb 12:1, a 'cloud of witnesses' surrounding us). To be hung around something (Mark 9:42, a millstone around the neck). With a direct object, to wear or have on (Acts 28:20, 'I am wearing this chain').

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

περί-κειμαι

[in LXX: Ep. Je 24, 58, 4Ma.12:3 * ;]

1. to lie round about: μύλος, λίθος (RV, were hanged about), Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2; νεφος μαρτύρων, Hebrews 12:1.

2. to have around one, be clothed with: Acts 28:20; figuratively, ἀσθένειαν, Hebrews 5:2.†

(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 Hebrews 5:2

Range of meaning

To lie around or surround something (Heb 12:1, a 'cloud of witnesses' surrounding us). To be hung around something (Mark 9:42, a millstone around the neck). With a direct object, to wear or have on (Acts 28:20, 'I am wearing this chain').

Against the English

KJV 'compassed with' and WEB 'surrounded with' keep the spatial picture. BSB/NIV 'subject to' turns it into an abstract statement and loses the image. ESV/NASB 'beset with' keeps some of the sense of being hemmed in.

Used elsewhere in the period

Acts 28:20 (wearing a chain). Hebrews 12:1 (surrounded by witnesses). Mark 9:42 and Luke 17:2 (millstone hung around the neck). In Greek generally it is used of putting on clothing, garlands or fetters.

From the study of Acts 28:20

Range of meaning

Literally "to lie around" something. It is used both of an object placed around something ("a millstone hung around his neck," Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2) and, with the person as subject, "to have something around oneself, be clothed or surrounded with" (Hebrews 5:2: the high priest "is beset with weakness"; Hebrews 12:1: "surrounded by" a cloud of witnesses).

Against the English

"I am bound" turns a description of a state into something that sounds like an action done to Paul. The Greek is more physical and visual: "this chain is lying around me," "I am wearing it." The Latin Vulgate's circumdatus sum, "I am encircled," keeps the picture.

Used elsewhere in the period

Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2; Acts 28:20; Hebrews 5:2; 12:1. It is also common in ordinary Greek for things worn or placed around the body.

Where it appears

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 9:42 περίκειται is put

    But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea.

    Here: 'Is lying around' his neck. The picture is of the stone already fastened there.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 17:2 περίκειται is hung

    It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

    Here: Literally "lies around," so the stone is resting on the neck. The present tense gives a still picture of the man already wearing it.

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 28:20 περίκειμαι. I have around [me].

    So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

    Here: Literally "I have this lying around me." The present tense describes his current condition: he is wearing the chain right now, as he speaks.

Hebrews · 2

  1. Hebrews 5:2 περίκειται is encompassed by

    He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness.

    Here: Literally 'lies around' him. Paired with a direct object it means to wear something or have it hung on you, as Paul 'wears this chain' (Acts 28:20). Weakness is wrapped around the priest like clothing he cannot take off.

  2. Hebrews 12:1 περικείμενον encompassing

    Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

    Here: 'Lying around', 'encircling'. It is the first of three 'lying' or 'standing' words in the verse: the cloud lies around us, the sin stands around us, the race lies before us.

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