περισπάω (perispaō)
perispaō
to distract
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb perispaō means to be drawn around or pulled away from a central focus, resulting in distraction. Its components suggest being swirled about by external forces, which explains why it describes a state of mental agitation rather than simple busyness. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Luke 10:40, where Martha complains to Jesus that she is "distracted" by much serving.
This single usage highlights a specific kind of turmoil. Martha is not merely busy; she is pulled in multiple directions until her attention is fractured. The sources note that the word carries a sense of being troubled or harassed by circumstances, implying that her service has become a burden rather than a joy. It captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by tasks to the point where one’s peace is lost.
Translators often render this as "distracted" or "worried," but the Greek image is more physical, evoking someone spun around until they lose their balance. The word serves as a vivid reminder that even good duties can become sources of distress when they pull us away from stillness and focus. It describes the human experience of having one’s heart and mind scattered by the demands of life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels like it is spinning too fast, we often mistake busyness for faithfulness. The Greek word perispaō captures this specific kind of turmoil. It describes being pulled in different directions until our focus fractures and our peace is lost. It is not just about having a full schedule; it is about the internal agitation that comes when good duties become burdensome distractions.
Martha’s experience in Luke 10:40 shows us that even serving Jesus can become a source of distress if we let it pull us away from Him. We might find ourselves complaining or feeling overwhelmed, not because the work is wrong, but because our hearts are scattered. This word invites us to check where our attention truly lies.
It is okay to feel tired when everything demands your energy. Jesus noticed Martha’s struggle and gently corrected her perspective. He did not dismiss her service, but He pointed her back to what matters most: sitting at His feet. You can find rest in that same invitation, letting go of the need to control every detail.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- was distracted1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- περιεσπᾶτο1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 10:40
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”
This is the only New Testament occurrence, where Martha’s complaint reveals how service can become a distracting burden that fractures her peace.