περίκειμαι

I surround, am surrounded with

Definition

The verb περίκειμαι (perikeimai) primarily means 'to lie around' or 'to surround,' conveying a sense of being encircled or encompassed. In a literal, physical sense, it describes something placed around an object, such as a millstone hung around someone's neck (Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2). In a metaphorical sense, it describes being clothed or enveloped by something, like being 'clothed' with weakness in Hebrews 5:2 or being 'surrounded' by a great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12:1. It can also imply a state of being bound or constrained, as seen in Acts 28:20 where Paul speaks of being 'bound with' a chain.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used five times in the New Testament, appearing in Gospels, Acts, and Hebrews. In the Gospels (Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2), it is used literally and vividly to describe the severe consequence of causing others to sin—having a millstone 'hung around' one's neck. In Acts 28:20, Paul uses it metaphorically for the chain that binds him as a prisoner. In Hebrews, it takes on rich metaphorical meanings: in Hebrews 5:2, the high priest is 'surrounded by' or 'subject to' weakness, and in Hebrews 12:1, believers are 'surrounded by' a great cloud of witnesses, implying both encouragement and accountability.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition περί (peri), meaning 'around, about, concerning,' combined with the verb κεῖμαι (keimai), meaning 'to lie, be placed, be set.' The compound literally means 'to lie around.' This root κεῖμαι is also found in other NT words like ἀνάκειμαι (anakeimai, 'to recline at table') and πρόκειμαι (prokeimai, 'to be set before').

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it powerfully illustrates states of spiritual condition and divine provision. The imagery in Hebrews 12:1 of being 'surrounded' by witnesses transforms the Christian life from an isolated struggle into a communal race of faith, deeply connected to the legacy of the faithful. In Hebrews 5:2, it underscores the incarnational solidarity of the high priest with human weakness, a core concept for understanding Christ's empathy and effective mediation. Understanding the Greek enriches reading by highlighting whether the surrounding context is one of burden (the millstone), constraint (the chain), inherent condition (weakness), or divine encouragement (the witnesses).

The vivid image of a millstone (a large, heavy stone used for grinding grain) being hung around someone's neck before drowning (Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2) was a culturally understood metaphor for a catastrophic and inescapable fate, emphasizing the extreme seriousness of causing spiritual harm. The 'chain' in Acts 28:20 refers to the physical restraint linking a prisoner to a guard, a common Roman practice.

κυκλόω (kykloō, G2944) — to encircle or surround, often in a more active or hostile sense (e.g., surrounding a city). περιβλέπω (periblepō, G4017) — to look around, implying a visual survey of one's surroundings. ἀμφιέννυμι (amphiennymi, G294) — to clothe or put on garments, a more specific term for dressing.

Word Details

Scripture References