περιπίπτω (peripiptō)
peripiptō
to fall upon
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb peripiptō literally means to fall around or into something, describing an encounter that feels sudden and encompassing. In the New Testament, it appears only three times, often conveying the idea of stumbling upon a situation rather than seeking it out. This sense of being caught up in circumstances is central to its usage.
In Luke 10:30, the Good Samaritan falls among robbers, highlighting how quickly one can be drawn into danger without warning. Similarly, James 1:2 speaks of falling into various trials, suggesting that these challenges are not chosen but encountered as part of life’s unpredictable path. The word captures the weight of being involved in events that overwhelm or surround a person.
Etymologically, peripiptō combines peri ("around") with piptō ("to fall"), reinforcing the image of something closing in from all sides. Translators often render it as "come across" or "encounter," though these phrases may soften the original’s intensity. The term reminds readers that some experiences are not planned but simply happen, leaving them to navigate what lies ahead.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word peripiptō describes a sudden encounter, like falling into a situation you did not plan for. It combines ideas of falling and surrounding, painting a picture of circumstances closing in on you unexpectedly. This is not about seeking trouble, but finding yourself in the middle of it.
When Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, he used this word to describe a man who fell among robbers. He was simply traveling when danger appeared. Similarly, James writes that we can fall into various trials. These are not punishments or rewards, but real parts of life that catch us off guard.
Knowing this helps us breathe easier when things go wrong. You are not alone in these moments. God sees you in the middle of the storm, just as He saw the traveler on the road to Jericho. His care does not stop because your plans changed.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you may fall into1×
- fell among1×
- Having fallen1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- περιέπεσεν1×
- περιπέσητε1×
- περιπεσόντες1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 10:30
Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
This verse uses the word to describe a sudden, dangerous encounter with robbers while traveling, showing how quickly life can shift from safety to crisis.
-
James 1:2
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,
Here the word connects to 'various temptations,' emphasizing that trials are unexpected events we must navigate rather than chosen experiences.