Brief Overview of περιτρέχω (Strong’s G4063: peritrechō)

Strong’s G4063: A compound verb meaning “to run around” or “to run about.” In biblical usage, depicts urgent movement to spread news about Jesus. The word captures the enthusiastic response of people rushing to bring others to Christ for healing and teaching.

U- Unveiling the Word

Περιτρέχω (peritrechō) combines physical movement with purposeful intent. Its primary meaning of “running around” or “running throughout” appears in contexts of urgent action and zealous response to Jesus’s presence. In its New Testament context, it illustrates the enthusiastic spread of news about Christ’s presence and power. Early church writers expanded this usage to describe the rapid spread of the gospel message. Today, it reminds us of the appropriate urgency and enthusiasm in sharing the good news and bringing others to Christ.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: περιτρέχω, peritrechō, per-ee-trekh’-o
• Detailed pronunciation: per (as in “pair”) + ee (as in “see”) + trekh (as in “trek”) + o (as in “oh”)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• περί (peri) – prefix meaning “around”
• τρέχω (trechō) – verb meaning “to run”

D – Defining Meanings

• To run around
• To run about
• To hurry through an area
• To move quickly in various directions
• To spread rapidly

For compound words:
Prefix περί indicates movement around or throughout
Root τρέχω provides the basic meaning of running

Translation Options:

1. Run around – emphasizes comprehensive movement
2. Hurry about – captures urgency of action
3. Spread quickly – reflects the result of the movement

E – Exploring Similar Words

• διατρέχω (diatrechō) [dee-at-rekh’-o] – to run through
• συντρέχω (syntrechō) [soon-trekh’-o] – to run together
• προτρέχω (protrechō) [prot-rekh’-o] – to run ahead

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verb Features:

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

Example conjugations:
Present Active: περιτρέχω (I run around)
Aorist Active: περιέδραμον (I ran around)
Future Active: περιδραμοῦμαι (I will run around)

Cross-references:

• Noun: περιδρομή (running around)
• Participle: περιτρέχων (running around)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of urgent movement. Thayer’s notes its application to spreading news. LSJ documents its use in describing comprehensive movement through an area. Vine’s connects it to zealous action. Strong’s emphasizes the thoroughness implied by the compound form. Moulton and Milligan note its use in describing rapid dissemination of information.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“And ran about [περιτρέχω] the whole region and began to bring sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was.” (Mark 6:55)

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

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Περιτρέχω beautifully captures the appropriate response to encountering Jesus – urgent movement to bring others to Him. The good news of King Jesus is worth running around to share. This word challenges us to maintain the same enthusiasm and urgency in spreading the gospel and bringing others to experience Christ’s transforming presence.

D – Did You Know?

1. Used in military contexts to describe rapid deployment of messengers.
2. Appeared in medical texts describing the quick spread of treatments.
3. Early Christian missionaries used this term to describe their evangelistic activities.

Strong’s G4063: A compound verb combining “around” (περί) with “to run” (τρέχω). Used in Mark to describe urgent movement to spread news about Jesus and bring others to Him. Illustrates appropriate enthusiasm in gospel proclamation.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: #running #urgency #evangelism #spreading #news #healing #Jesus #gospel #mission #NewTestament #BiblicalGreek #Theology #zeal​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​