Brief Overview of περιτρέπω (Strong’s G4062: peritrepō)

Strong’s G4062: A compound verb meaning “to turn around” or “to turn about,” figuratively meaning “to drive to insanity” or “to drive out of one’s senses.” In biblical usage, appears uniquely in Acts 26:24, describing Festus’s reaction to Paul’s testimony.

U- Unveiling the Word

Περιτρέπω (peritrepō) combines literal and metaphorical meanings in its usage. While literally meaning “to turn around,” it developed the figurative meaning of turning someone’s mind, often implying a loss of mental stability. In its New Testament context, it appears in a pivotal moment when Paul’s passionate defense of the gospel is met with skepticism by Roman authority. Early church writers used this term to describe how divine truth often appears as foolishness to worldly wisdom. Today, it reminds us how the gospel’s transformative power can seem incomprehensible to those viewing it through purely rational lenses.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: περιτρέπω, peritrepō, per-ee-trep’-o
• Detailed pronunciation: per (as in “pair”) + ee (as in “see”) + trep (as in “trap”) + o (as in “oh”)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• περί (peri) – prefix meaning “around”
• τρέπω (trepō) – verb meaning “to turn”

D – Defining Meanings

• To turn around
• To change completely
• To drive to madness
• To cause mental disturbance
• To overturn

For compound words:
Prefix περί indicates complete or thorough turning
Root τρέπω provides the basic meaning of turning

Translation Options:

1. Drive to madness – captures psychological impact
2. Turn completely – emphasizes total transformation
3. Drive out of senses – reflects mental state change

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἐκτρέπω (ektrepō) [ek-trep’-o] – to turn aside or away
• ἀποτρέπω (apotrepō) [ap-ot-rep’-o] – to turn away from
• μεταστρέφω (metastrephō) [met-as-tref’-o] – to turn around, convert

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verb Features:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Active, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural

Example conjugations:
Present Active: περιτρέπω (I turn around)
Aorist Active: περιέτρεψα (I turned around)
Perfect Passive: περιτέτραμμαι (I have been turned)

Cross-references:

• Noun: περιτροπή (turning around)
• Adjective: περίτροπος (turned)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its psychological implications. Thayer’s notes its use in describing mental state changes. LSJ documents various uses in classical Greek. Vine’s connects it to the concept of mental transformation. Strong’s emphasizes the compound meaning. Moulton and Milligan note its use in describing dramatic changes in perspective.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind [περιτρέπω]; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.'” (Acts 26:24)

Additional References:
[This is the only occurrence in the New Testament]

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Περιτρέπω powerfully illustrates how the gospel’s truth can appear as foolishness to worldly wisdom. When Festus accuses Paul of madness, we see how the good news of King Jesus often challenges and overturns conventional understanding. This reminds us that the gospel’s power lies not in human wisdom but in divine truth that transforms minds and hearts.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was used in medical texts to describe mental conditions.
2. Ancient philosophers used it to describe radical changes in thinking.
3. It appears in legal documents describing dramatic reversals of fortune.

Strong’s G4062: A compound verb combining “around” (περί) with “to turn” (τρέπω). Used uniquely in Acts to describe perceived mental instability resulting from intensive study. Illustrates how divine truth can appear as foolishness to worldly wisdom.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: #transformation #madness #wisdom #folly #gospel #Paul #Festus #Acts #NewTestament #BiblicalGreek #Theology #worldlyWisdom​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​