Greek word · G4037

περιμένω

perimenō

to await

To wait for, wait around for, remain in expectation of something or someone. The prefix peri- ('around') carries the idea of staying in place until it comes.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

περι-μένω

[in LXX: Genesis 49:18 (קָוָה pi.), Wisdom of Solomon 8:12 * ;]

to wait for: with acce., Acts 1:4.†

(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 1:4

Range of meaning

To wait for, wait around for, remain in expectation of something or someone. The prefix peri- ('around') carries the idea of staying in place until it comes.

Against the English

'Wait for' is accurate. KJV's parallel in Luke 24:49 says 'tarry ye in the city', using a different Greek verb, kathisate, 'sit, stay'. 'Tarry' became a well-known word in some traditions.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used only here in the New Testament. The Septuagint uses it at Gen 49:18 ('I wait for your salvation, O LORD'), and it is common in Greek papyri for waiting on an expected person or event.

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 1:4 περιμένειν to await

    And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss.

    Here: Used only here in the New Testament. It means to stay put and wait for something expected, and the present tense suggests waiting that goes on until it arrives. It does not mean doing nothing: v. 14 shows them praying together while they waited.

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