περί (peri)
peri
about
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 307 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The preposition peri carries a core sense of being "around" or "about," functioning as a versatile marker that shifts meaning based on the grammatical case it governs. With the genitive case, it points to the subject matter or cause, translating naturally as "concerning" or "on account of." This usage appears frequently when discussing topics, such as Jesus’ inquiry about healing in Mark 1:44 or Paul’s letters regarding specific church matters.
When paired with the accusative case, peri often denotes physical proximity, meaning "around" or "near," as seen in descriptions of John the Baptist’s clothing in Matthew 3:4. It also identifies a group of people surrounding a central figure, referring to "those around" Jesus in Mark 4:10. Additionally, it marks approximate time, indicating that an event happened "about" a certain hour.
A distinct feature of peri is its ability to form compound words that retain this spatial logic. In compounds like peripoieomai, the prefix adds a sense of completeness or excess, suggesting something acquired fully or beyond the ordinary. This structural consistency allows the word to bridge concrete physical descriptions with abstract theological discussions about God’s care and provision.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word peri is wonderfully flexible, shifting its meaning based on context to describe either physical surroundings or abstract topics. When used with the accusative case, it paints a picture of proximity—like John the Baptist’s leather belt wrapped around his waist or crowds gathering near Jesus. This spatial sense reminds us that faith is not lived in isolation; we are often surrounded by community and physical reality.
In its more common usage with the genitive case, peri moves from space to subject matter, translating as “concerning” or “about.” Jesus uses it when teaching about the resurrection (Matthew 22:31) or discussing anxiety over clothing (Matthew 6:28). This usage highlights how God cares about the specific details of our lives, from theological truths to daily worries.
Understanding this word helps us see that God is interested in both the big questions and the small moments. Whether we are studying Scripture or navigating daily stress, peri shows that our conversation with God can cover every aspect of existence, from the physical world to the deepest concerns of the heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 307 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- concerning177×
- about50×
- for42×
- Concerning22×
- around18×
- of9×
- About3×
- over2×
- [offerings] for2×
- with1×
- relative to1×
- regarding1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- περὶ323×
- Περὶ12×
- περί1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 6:28
Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin,
The word shifts focus from physical surroundings to the subject of anxiety, showing God’s concern for our daily worries about clothing.
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Matthew 22:31
But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,
It introduces a specific theological topic, framing Jesus’ discussion on the resurrection as a direct answer to a question concerning the dead.
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Matthew 3:4
Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
Here it denotes physical proximity, describing the leather belt wrapped around John’s waist and grounding the prophecy in tangible reality.
-
Matthew 8:18
Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.
It marks a group of people surrounding Jesus, illustrating the physical crowd that gathered near him before he gave his command to depart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does peri mean in the Bible?
How is peri different from other Greek words for 'about'?
Where does peri appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (307 verses across 24 books)
Matthew 28 verses
He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me…
Matthew 3:4Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild…
Matthew 4:6and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels…
Matthew 6:28Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they…
Matthew 8:18Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.
Matthew 9:36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like…
Matthew 11:7As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness…
Matthew 11:10For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before…
Matthew 12:36I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Matthew 15:7You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,
Matthew 16:11How is it that you don’t perceive that I didn’t speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees…
Matthew 17:13Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.
Matthew 18:6but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge…
Matthew 18:19Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be…
Matthew 19:17He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life,…
Matthew 20:3He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
Matthew 20:5Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
Matthew 20:6About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day…
Matthew 20:9“When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius.
Matthew 20:24When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers.
Matthew 21:45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them.
Matthew 22:16They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach…
Matthew 22:31But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,
Matthew 22:42saying, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “Of David.”
Matthew 24:36“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 26:24The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would…
Matthew 26:28for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.
Matthew 27:46About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why…