περιοχή

a passage of Scripture

Definition

The Greek word περιοχή (periochē) refers to a specific section or passage of Scripture, particularly a defined portion of text used for reading or study. In its sole New Testament occurrence in Acts 8:32, it denotes the specific passage from Isaiah 53:7-8 that the Ethiopian eunuch was reading. The term implies a bounded or circumscribed portion of a larger work, a 'pericope' set apart for focused attention. While used only once, its meaning is clear and specific to a segment of sacred writing.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 8:32. It describes the specific 'section' or 'passage' of Isaiah the prophet that Philip heard the Ethiopian eunuch reading aloud from his chariot. The context is one of public or private Scripture reading, where a particular portion is being examined. The usage highlights the early Christian practice of studying defined portions of the Hebrew Scriptures to understand their fulfillment in Jesus.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition περί (peri), meaning 'around, about,' and the root related to ἔχω (echō), meaning 'to have' or 'to hold.' Thus, περιοχή literally means 'that which is held around' or 'a containing.' It came to signify a defined portion or section that is 'encompassed' or marked off from a larger body of text, much like a modern 'pericope.'

Semantic Range

Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it underscores the early church's hermeneutical practice. The 'section of Scripture' in Acts 8:32 (Isaiah 53) is the very text Philip uses to explain the gospel of Jesus as the suffering servant. This shows how the New Testament authors understood specific, bounded Old Testament passages as divinely intended to point directly to Christ. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting how early Christians saw individual Scripture passages as vital, interpretable units pointing to Jesus.

In the Greco-Roman world, the term was used for a defined district or region. Applied to literature, it signified an extract or selected passage. For a reader like the Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official, engaging with a 'periochē' of Isaiah reflects common literate practice of studying philosophical or religious texts in manageable sections. The scroll of Isaiah was a large document, so identifying a specific 'periochē' was practical for study and discussion.

γράφη (graphē, G1124) — A more general term for 'Scripture' or 'writing' as a whole, whereas περιοχή is a specific portion of it. λόγος (logos, G3056) — Can mean 'word,' 'statement,' or 'account,' sometimes used for divine revelation or message, but not specifically a bounded textual passage.

Word Details

Scripture References