Brief Overview of περιρήγνυμι (Strong’s G4048: periregnymi)

Strong’s G4048: A compound verb combining περί (around) and ῥήγνυμι (to tear), meaning “to tear off completely.” Used specifically in Acts to describe the violent removal of Paul and Silas’s clothes before their beating, emphasizing the public humiliation aspect of persecution.

U- Unveiling the Word

Περιρήγνυμι represents violent and complete tearing. As a compound word, it combines the comprehensive aspect of περί with the tearing action of ῥήγνυμι, creating a picture of thorough stripping or tearing off. In the New Testament, it appears uniquely in Acts, describing the public humiliation of Paul and Silas before their beating in Philippi. The word carries significant implications about the physical and psychological aspects of persecution. Early church writers used it to discuss both literal persecution and spiritual stripping of dignity. Today, it reminds believers of the potential cost of faithfulness and Christ’s identification with the humiliated.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: περιρήγνυμι, periregnymi, [peh-ree-RAYG-noo-mee]
• Detailed pronunciation: peh-ree-RAYG-noo-mee (stress on third syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• περί (peri-): prefix meaning “around, completely”
• ῥήγνυμι (regnymi): root verb meaning “to tear”
• Combined meaning: to tear off completely

D – Defining Meanings

• To tear off violently
• To strip by tearing
• To rend completely

For compound words: The prefix περί adds “completely” to ῥήγνυμι “to tear,” emphasizing thorough removal

Translation Options:

1. Tear off – Emphasizes violence
2. Strip forcibly – Highlights humiliation
3. Rend away – Captures thoroughness

E – Exploring Similar Words

• διαρρήγνυμι [diarregnymi, dee-ar-RAYG-noo-mee] – to tear through
• σπαράσσω [sparasso, spa-RAS-so] – to tear apart
• σχίζω [schizo, SKHEE-zo] – to split, divide

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verbal Features:

• Tense: Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Participle
• Person: Third
• Number: Plural
• Aspect: Punctiliar

Examples: tear off, tears off, tore off, tearing off

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes violent removal. Thayer’s notes public humiliation aspect. LSJ provides examples of forcible stripping. Vine’s connects it to persecution. Strong’s emphasizes complete tearing. Moulton and Milligan document its violence.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates [tore off] their robes and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods.” (Acts 16:22)

Additional References:
None

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Περιρήγνυμι powerfully illustrates the cost of following King Jesus. Through Paul and Silas’s humiliation, we see how the gospel often advances through suffering, yet produces joy and salvation, as demonstrated by their later singing and the jailer’s conversion.

D – Did You Know?

1. Used in ancient texts describing ritual humiliation
2. Applied in military contexts for stripping defeated enemies
3. Became symbolic in martyrdom accounts

Strong’s G4048: Compound verb expressing violent and complete tearing off of clothing. Used specifically to describe public humiliation in persecution contexts. Emphasizes both physical violence and psychological trauma in suffering for Christ.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: #Persecution #Suffering #Humiliation #Martyrdom #BiblicalGreek #CompoundVerbs #Acts #PaulAndSilas #Faithfulness #Witness​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​