περικρατής

having full power over, mastering

Definition

περικρατής is an adjective meaning 'having full power over' or 'mastering.' It describes a state of complete control or authority over something, often implying a firm grasp or secure possession. In its sole New Testament occurrence in Acts 27:16, it is used to describe the sailors' struggle to 'secure' or 'gain control over' the ship's lifeboat in the midst of a violent storm. The term conveys the idea of exerting decisive authority to bring an object or situation under one's command.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 27:16. It appears in the narrative of Paul's shipwreck, describing the crew's urgent action to gain control of the skiff (a small boat) during the storm. The context is one of crisis and desperate human effort to master a physical object that was being tossed by the sea, highlighting a moment of intense struggle for survival.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition περί (peri), meaning 'around' or 'about,' combined with the root -κρατής (-kratēs), from the verb κρατέω (krateō), meaning 'to be strong, to rule, to hold.' The compound thus literally means 'holding all around' or 'having power all around,' which evolved into the sense of having complete mastery or secure control over something.

Semantic Range

While used in a narrative, non-doctrinal context, the word περικρατής can enrich the understanding of divine sovereignty and human agency. In Acts 27, the sailors' frantic effort to 'secure' the boat contrasts with the overarching theme of God's providential control over the storm and the eventual safe delivery of all aboard (Acts 27:24). It subtly illustrates that human attempts at mastery are limited, while true, ultimate authority rests with God.

In the Greco-Roman world, maritime travel was common but perilous. The term reflects the practical, hands-on struggle for control that was a reality for sailors facing storms at sea. The 'skiff' was a vital piece of equipment for safety and transport, making the effort to secure it a matter of life and death, a cultural reality immediately understood by ancient readers.

κρατέω (krateō, G2902) — a verb meaning 'to seize, hold, or rule,' focusing on the action of grasping; κυριεύω (kyrieuō, G2961) — a verb meaning 'to be lord over, to rule,' often with a focus on dominion or authority.

Word Details

Scripture References