περιρρήγνυμι
I tear off
Definition
The verb περιρρήγνυμι means 'to tear off' or 'to strip off by tearing.' It specifically describes a forceful, often violent, removal of something, typically clothing, from around a person's body. In its single New Testament occurrence in Acts 16:22, it refers to the magistrates ordering the tearing off of Paul and Silas's garments before their beating. The prefix περί (peri, 'around') intensifies the action, emphasizing the complete stripping or tearing away of what surrounds or clothes someone.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 16:22. It describes a specific action of public humiliation and preparation for punishment in a judicial context. The Philippian magistrates command the tearing off of Paul and Silas's clothes before ordering them to be beaten with rods. This usage highlights a formal, violent act of degradation by authorities.
Etymology
The word is a compound verb formed from the preposition περί (peri), meaning 'around' or 'about,' and the root verb ῥήγνυμι (rhēgnymi), meaning 'to break' or 'to tear.' The combination creates a sense of tearing something off from all around a person. It is a vivid, forceful term for stripping.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is not central to a major doctrine, its use in Acts 16:22 enriches the narrative of apostolic suffering. The violent, public stripping underscores the humiliation and injustice Paul and Silas endured for the gospel. Understanding this specific Greek term highlights the physical reality of their persecution and their commitment to Christ despite official degradation, modeling endurance for believers.
In the Roman world, public stripping and flogging were common punishments intended to inflict both physical pain and social shame. Tearing off garments (as opposed to simply removing them) added an element of violence and contempt, treating the victim's clothing as worthless. This action formally reduced their status and dignity before the community, making the punishment a public spectacle.
ἐκδύω (ekdyō, G1562) — to take off or strip off clothing, generally without the connotation of violent tearing; ῥήγνυμι (rhēgnymi, G4486) — the root verb meaning to break or burst, used more broadly for tearing or breaking objects.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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