πίμπρημι

I am inflamed, I swell

Definition

The verb πίμπρημι (pimprēmi) means 'to swell' or 'to become inflamed,' specifically describing a physical condition of swelling up, often due to injury, poison, or disease. In its single New Testament occurrence in Acts 28:6, it describes the expectation of the islanders that the apostle Paul would swell up or suddenly fall dead after being bitten by a viper. The word carries a sense of a sudden, visible, and severe physical reaction. While not used elsewhere in the New Testament, in broader Greek literature it can describe swelling from causes like venom or anger.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 28:6. After Paul is bitten by a viper on the island of Malta, the local people watch him, expecting him to 'swell up' (πίμπρημι) or suddenly die. The usage is entirely narrative and descriptive, capturing the dramatic moment and the false assumption of the bystanders, which is overturned when Paul suffers no harm. This singular instance highlights a moment of perceived divine judgment that instead becomes a testimony to God's protection.

Etymology

Πίμπρημι is a primary verb in ancient Greek. It is related to the root seen in words like πῦρ (pyr, 'fire'), suggesting a connection to the concept of burning or inflammation. The meaning developed from this root to specifically denote the physical swelling or inflammation of a body part, conveying a sense of being 'puffed up' or 'inflamed' from within.

Semantic Range

While not a theologically dense term, its use in Acts 28:6 is significant for demonstrating God's supernatural protection and favor upon Paul, validating his apostolic mission even among pagan audiences. The failed expectation of swelling and death becomes a sign that reverses the islanders' judgment, leading them to see Paul as a divine agent. Understanding this specific Greek term enriches the narrative by emphasizing the severity of the expected natural consequence, thereby heightening the miraculous nature of Paul's deliverance.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, a viper's bite was often assumed to be fatal, and sudden swelling was a recognized symptom of envenomation. The Maltese islanders' reaction reflects a common cultural belief that such a misfortune was a sign of divine justice or punishment for a hidden crime (cf. Acts 28:4). Their expectation that Paul would 'swell up' was a natural conclusion based on contemporary medical understanding and superstition.

φυσίω (physioō, G5448) — to puff up, inflate (often metaphorically for pride); οἰδήσω (oidēsō, from οἰδέω) — to swell (a more general term for swelling).

Word Details

Scripture References