περίοικος (perioikos)
perioikos
neighboring
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective perioikos describes someone who dwells around or near another person, functioning as a neighbor in a geographical sense. Derived from roots meaning "around" and "house," it paints a picture of proximity rather than intimacy. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Luke 1:58, where it highlights the community’s reaction to the birth of John the Baptist.
While often translated simply as "neighbor," the term carries a specific nuance of being a nearby resident or fellow townsfolk. The sources note its connection to the Septuagint, where it translates Hebrew terms for surrounding lands or neighbors, emphasizing physical closeness. In Luke’s account, this neighborly presence underscores how the family’s joy was shared by those living in their immediate vicinity.
This rare usage distinguishes itself from more common words for friend or kin by focusing on the spatial relationship of living nearby. It reflects a community bound by shared location, where significant events ripple outward to affect those who live just around the corner. The word captures the essence of local fellowship and the natural curiosity of one’s immediate surroundings.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word perioikos refers to those who live nearby, capturing the simple reality of physical proximity. In Luke 1:58, this term describes the people who heard of Mary’s joy and came to share it. It reminds us that faith is often lived out in the immediate circle of our daily lives, where neighbors notice changes in our circumstances.
While we may think of community as a large group or a distant church body, Scripture highlights the value of those right next door. When life brings significant moments of grace, it naturally draws the attention of those around us. This proximity allows for shared joy and mutual support within the local area.
Consider how your own neighborhood responds to good news. The presence of perioikos suggests that our lives are not isolated but connected to the people who share our streets. It is a gentle invitation to recognize the spiritual significance of everyday closeness and to welcome the shared happiness that comes from being part of a local community.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- neighbours1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- περίοικοι1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 1:58
Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
This verse uniquely uses the term to describe the immediate community reacting to Mary's joy, emphasizing physical proximity rather than kinship.