περιέχω

I contain, seize

Definition

The verb περιέχω (periechō) carries two primary meanings in the New Testament. First, it means 'to contain' or 'to hold within,' referring to the content of a written document, as seen in Acts 23:25 where a letter 'contained' specific information. Second, it means 'to surround' or 'to seize,' describing a physical or emotional enveloping, such as the amazement that 'seized' Peter and his companions in Luke 5:9. The word can also imply a sense of being encompassed or held by something, whether literal or figurative.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only three times in the New Testament, each illustrating a distinct nuance. In Luke 5:9, it describes the overwhelming astonishment that 'seized' those with Peter after the miraculous catch of fish, conveying a powerful emotional experience. In Acts 23:25, it is used literally for a letter that 'contained' a written report. In 1 Peter 2:6, it appears in a quotation from Isaiah 28:16 (LXX), where the believer who trusts in the cornerstone 'will not be put to shame,' with the Greek conveying the sense of being encompassed by confidence or security.

Etymology

The word is a compound of the preposition περί (peri), meaning 'around' or 'about,' and the common verb ἔχω (echō), meaning 'to have' or 'to hold.' Thus, its fundamental sense is 'to have around' or 'to hold on all sides.' This construction naturally gives rise to its dual meanings of containing something within boundaries and surrounding or seizing something from the outside.

Semantic Range

While not a central theological term, its use in 1 Peter 2:6 connects it to the important concept of messianic prophecy and the security of the believer in Christ, the chosen cornerstone. Understanding the dual sense of 'containing' and 'encompassing' can enrich the reading of Luke 5:9, highlighting how divine encounters can profoundly seize human emotion and perception.

The use in Acts 23:25 reflects the common ancient practice of official correspondence, where a document 'contained' its message, a concept unchanged today. The sense of being 'seized' by emotion (Luke 5:9) aligns with ancient descriptions of powerful, external forces affecting a person, akin to being overwhelmed by a divine presence or fate.

ἔχω (echō, G2192) — The simpler root verb meaning 'to have' or 'to hold,' without the surrounding/connotative force. κυκλόω (kykloō, G2944) — Means specifically 'to encircle' or 'surround,' often in a more literal, physical sense. περιλαμβάνω (perilambanō, G4033) — Means 'to take hold of' or 'embrace,' with a stronger sense of actively grasping.

Word Details

Scripture References