πίμπρημι (pimprēmi)
pimprēmi
to swell up
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb pimprēmi carries the core meaning of swelling or becoming inflamed. In classical usage it can refer to burning or blowing, but in its biblical appearances the focus shifts to physical distension. The sources note that this sense is particularly prominent in the Septuagint, where it translates the Hebrew word for swelling related to ritual impurity.
This specific nuance appears most famously in Acts 28:6. When Paul is bitten by a viper on Malta, the islanders expect his body to swell up as a sign of divine judgment. Instead, he remains unaffected, highlighting the miraculous nature of the event through this precise lexical choice. The word describes a visible, bodily change rather than an internal emotion.
Its etymology suggests a reduplicated form emphasizing intensity or repetition, fitting for a word describing a process that expands outward. While rare in the New Testament, its presence here anchors the narrative in tangible physical reality, contrasting human expectation of painful inflammation with divine preservation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pimprēmi describes a visible swelling or inflammation of the body. In Acts 28:6, Paul is bitten by a viper, and the people watching expect his flesh to swell up as proof of divine punishment. Instead, he shakes off the snake and suffers no harm. This moment shows that God’s protection does not always look like what we expect. It stands in stark contrast to human fears about judgment.
When life brings sudden pain or unexpected danger, it is natural to feel anxious. We might wonder if something is wrong with our faith or if we are being punished. This word reminds us that physical suffering is not always a sign of spiritual failure. God can preserve His servants in ways that defy human logic and medical explanation.
Your safety rests in the hands of a faithful Creator who sees more than just the surface. Even when circumstances look threatening, you can trust that He holds your life. Peace comes from knowing that His care is deeper than our fears or our understanding of what should happen.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to become inflamed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πίμπρασθαι1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 28:6
But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
The word describes the physical swelling the islanders expected to see as proof of Paul's guilt, but his lack of reaction highlighted God's protective power.