περιοχή (periochē)
periochē
passage
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun periochē refers to a defined section or portion of a larger whole. Its root meaning involves something that is circumscribed or enclosed, describing a specific area bounded by limits. In classical usage, it could denote the circumference of a circle or the contents contained within a boundary.
In Scripture, this term appears only once, in Acts 8:32. Here, it translates the phrase "this passage," referring to the specific segment of Isaiah’s prophecy that the Ethiopian eunuch was reading. The word highlights the textual nature of the encounter; Philip does not just discuss a general theme, but engages with a particular, bounded excerpt of Scripture.
This single usage underscores how early Christians approached the text: as a collection of distinct passages to be interpreted individually. By identifying the "section" being read, the narrative emphasizes the importance of context in understanding prophetic meaning, showing that the message was anchored in a specific written portion rather than abstract ideas alone.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word periochē refers to a specific section or bounded portion of a larger text. In Acts 8:32, it describes the exact passage the Ethiopian eunuch was reading from Isaiah. This detail shows that Scripture is not just a vague collection of ideas, but a structured book with distinct parts that can be studied and understood.
When you read the Bible, you are engaging with these defined passages. The Holy Spirit often uses specific verses to speak directly into our current situations. Like Philip, who explained the text to the eunuch, we can find clarity when we look at the words in their proper context rather than guessing at their meaning.
This approach invites us to slow down and pay attention to the text as it is written. It reminds us that God’s word is accessible and clear when we seek to understand what He has specifically said. You can trust that every passage has a place and purpose in the broader story of redemption.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the passage1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- περιοχὴ1×
Key Verses
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Acts 8:32
Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t open his mouth.
This verse uses the word to identify the specific Isaiah segment the eunuch was reading, showing Philip engaged with a bounded text rather than a general theme.