περίκειμαι (perikeimai)
perikeimai
to surround
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb perikeimai describes a state of being physically enclosed or covered by something surrounding it. Its core meaning is to lie around or be compassed about, creating an image of complete enclosure. In the Gospels, this literal sense appears when Mark and Luke describe stones hanging about (Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2), evoking a vivid picture of objects suspended or draped in a way that emphasizes their precarious or encompassing nature.
Hebrews expands this imagery into spiritual and physical realities. The author uses the word to depict believers being "surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1), suggesting an atmosphere of encouragement rather than mere physical proximity. In another instance, it describes Christ being "subject to weakness" (Hebrews 5:2), where the sense shifts from physical enclosure to being clothed with or enveloped by human frailty.
Etymologically, the word combines peri ("around") and keimai ("to lie"). This combination reinforces the idea of resting within a boundary or being wrapped in something external. Translators often render it as "surrounded" or "clothed," depending on whether the context is physical objects or abstract conditions like weakness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word perikeimai paints a picture of complete enclosure. It describes being wrapped or surrounded by something external, whether physical stones or abstract realities. In everyday life, we often feel enclosed by our circumstances, but this word invites us to see the nature of what surrounds us.
Hebrews 12:1 uses this term to describe believers surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. This is not a burden, but an atmosphere of encouragement. We are not alone in our faith journey; we are held within a community of those who have run the race before us. Their stories remind us that perseverance is possible.
Similarly, Hebrews 5:2 notes that Christ was surrounded by weakness. This shows His deep empathy for human frailty. He understands our struggles because He experienced them fully. When we feel enclosed by difficulty, we can rest in the knowledge that God meets us right there, wrapped in understanding and grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- is put1×
- is hung1×
- is encompassed by1×
- encompassing1×
- I have around [me].1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- περίκειται3×
- περίκειμαι.1×
- περικείμενον1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
This verse uses the word to depict believers being encompassed by a cloud of witnesses, emphasizing spiritual encouragement rather than physical proximity.
-
Hebrews 5:2
The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.
Here the term describes Christ being enveloped by human weakness, highlighting His capacity for gentle empathy toward those who stray.
-
Mark 9:42
“Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck.
The word illustrates a millstone hung around the neck, creating a vivid image of precarious physical enclosure to warn against causing others to stumble.