Brief Overview of περιέχω (Strong’s G4023: periecho)

Strong’s G4023: A compound verb combining περί (around) and ἔχω (to have/hold), meaning “to encompass, contain, seize.” In the New Testament, it describes both physical encompassing (as in amazement seizing someone) and textual content (as in what Scripture contains), showing both literal and metaphorical usage.

U- Unveiling the Word

Περιέχω represents comprehensive containment or encompassing. As a compound word, it combines complete surrounding (περί) with holding (ἔχω), creating an image of total containment or seizure. In the New Testament, it appears in both physical contexts (amazement seizing people) and literary contexts (content of Scripture). The word carries deep significance in expressing both overwhelming emotional response to divine activity and the authoritative content of Scripture. Early church writers expanded its usage to describe both the overwhelming nature of divine encounters and the containing of divine truth in Scripture. Today, it continues to express both the overwhelming power of God’s presence and the comprehensive nature of His written word.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: περιέχω, periecho, [peh-ree-EH-kho]
• Detailed pronunciation: peh-ree-EH-kho (stress on third syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• περί (peri-): prefix meaning “around, completely”
• ἔχω (echo): root verb meaning “to have, hold”
• Combined meaning: to hold completely around

D – Defining Meanings

• To encompass, surround
• To seize completely
• To contain (as content)

For compound words: The prefix περί adds “completely around” to ἔχω “to hold,” creating the sense of complete containment or seizure

Translation Options:

1. Encompass – Emphasizes surrounding nature
2. Seize – Captures overwhelming effect
3. Contain – Best for textual content

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κατέχω [katecho, kah-TEH-kho] – to hold down/fast
• συνέχω [synecho, syn-EH-kho] – to hold together
• ἀντέχω [antecho, an-TEH-kho] – to hold against/firmly

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verbal Features:

• Tense: Present, Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative, Participle
• Person: Third
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Ongoing or punctiliar

Examples: encompass, encompasses, encompassed, encompassing

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both physical and literary uses. Thayer’s notes its development from physical to metaphorical meaning. LSJ provides extensive classical usage examples. Vine’s connects it to Scripture quotation formulas. Strong’s emphasizes the completeness of the containing. Moulton and Milligan document its technical use in documents.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“For he and all who were with him were [seized] with amazement at the catch of fish which they had taken.” (Luke 5:9)

Additional References:
Acts 23:25, 1 Peter 2:6

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Περιέχω powerfully illustrates both God’s overwhelming presence and His comprehensive revelation. From the disciples being seized with amazement at Jesus’s miracle to Scripture containing God’s truth, this word reminds us that the good news of King Jesus both overwhelms us with divine power and provides us with complete divine truth.

D – Did You Know?

1. Used technically in ancient document citations
2. Applied to emotional states in medical texts
3. Common in architectural descriptions for enclosing structures

Strong’s G4023: Compound verb expressing complete containment or encompassing. Used both for overwhelming emotional response to divine activity and for containing written content. Significant in both experiential and textual contexts of early Christianity.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: #Containment #Scripture #DivineEncounter #Amazement #BiblicalGreek #CompoundVerbs #Revelation #Emotion #Writing #Authority​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​