περιμένω (perimenō)
perimenō
to await
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb perimenō means to wait for someone or something, carrying a sense of patient expectation. It combines the prefix peri, suggesting a surrounding or continuous action, with menō, which means to remain or stay. This creates a vivid image of holding one’s ground while anticipating an arrival.
In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Acts 1:4. Here, Jesus instructs his disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father. The context implies a deliberate, communal waiting rather than passive idleness. The disciples are called to remain in place until a specific event unfolds.
While similar to other Greek words for waiting, perimenō emphasizes the act of staying put during the interim period. It reflects a steadfastness that is characteristic of biblical narratives where God’s timing determines the outcome. The word underscores the importance of presence and readiness in the face of divine promise.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Jesus told His followers to wait in Jerusalem, He was not asking them to sit idle. The Greek word perimenō suggests a focused, active anticipation. It carries the sense of staying close to where God has placed you, keeping your attention fixed on His promise. This kind of waiting is not passive; it is a deliberate choice to remain present and ready for what is coming.
In our own lives, we often feel pressured to move forward before the time is right. Yet this word reminds us that there is strength in stillness. Waiting for God’s timing requires trust, but it also brings peace. By staying put and keeping our hearts open, we position ourselves to receive what He has prepared. This patient expectation helps us navigate uncertainty with confidence, knowing that His promises are sure.
May you find comfort in the call to wait with purpose. When seasons of waiting feel long, remember that God is working even when we cannot see it. Your steadfast presence honors Him, and your trust invites His fulfillment.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to await1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- περιμένειν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 1:4
Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.
This verse uniquely uses perimenō to describe the disciples' commanded stillness in Jerusalem, highlighting that their waiting was an active obedience rather than passive idleness.