Lexical Summary perikeimai: To be surrounded, to lie around, to be encircled. Original Word: περίκειμαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance enclose, encircle, wearFrom peri and keimai; to lie all around, i.e. Inclose, encircle, hamper (literally or figuratively) -- be bound (compassed) with, hang about. see GREEK peri see GREEK keimai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peri and keimai Definition to lie around NASB Translation beset (1), hung (2), surrounding (1), wearing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4029: περίκειμαιπερίκειμαι; (περί and κεῖμαι); from Homer down; 1. to lie around (cf. περί, III. 1): περί (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 52, 4, 12) τί (A. V. were hanged, Mark 9:42); Luke 17:2; ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν νέφος (A. V. are composed about with a cloud etc.), Hebrews 12:1. 2. passively (cf. Buttmann, 50 (44)), to be compassed with, have round one, (with the accusative; cf. Winers Grammar, § 32, 5; Buttmann, § 134, 7): ἅλυσιν, Acts 28:20 (δεσμά, 4 Macc. 12:3); ἀσθένειαν, infirmity cleaves to me, Hebrews 5:2 (ὕβριν, Theocritus, 23,14; ἀμαυρωσιν, νέφος, Clement of Rome, 2 Cor. 1, 6 [ET]). The verb portrays something encircling, binding, or encompassing a person. Its five appearances move from literal objects (millstone, chain) to moral and spiritual realities (weakness, witnesses), tracing how what surrounds a life shapes both judgment and hope. Gravity of Causing Others to Stumble Mark 9:42 and Luke 17:2 employ the image of a “large millstone… hung around his neck” before one is cast into the sea. The weight encircling the offender’s neck graphically accents the Lord’s severe warning against harming “one of these little ones who believe in Me.” The verb makes the penalty vivid: the stone is not merely attached but tightly wrapped, sealing inevitable ruin. The passages underscore three truths: 1. Responsibility – Those in positions of influence bear an encircling accountability for the spiritual welfare of the vulnerable. Chains for the Hope of Israel In Acts 28:20 Paul tells the Roman Jews, “it is for the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” His fetter, wrapped around his wrist, becomes a symbol of gospel perseverance. The surrounding chain signifies: Priestly Compassion Grounded in Shared Weakness Hebrews 5:2 states that the high priest “is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness.” The weakness is not an occasional stumble but a condition that wraps around the priestly office. Old-covenant ministers entered the sanctuary conscious of their own frailty, offering sacrifices “for himself and for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 5:3). This enveloping limitation: Encouragement from a Cloud of Witnesses Hebrews 12:1 shifts the focus from what weighs down to what upholds: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance…” The verb pictures believers running within a stadium enveloped by past champions of faith (Hebrews 11). Their testimony: Interrelated Themes 1. Weight versus witness – The same verb frames either condemning weight (millstone) or encouraging witness (cloud), revealing that what encircles a life can drag downward or propel forward. Applications for Ministry Today • Guard the vulnerable – Churches must weigh the eternal gravity of leading young believers astray, adopting safeguards and cultivating holy example. Conclusion Across its five occurrences the verb paints a spectrum: crushing judgment, restrictive chains, compassionate weakness, and cheering witnesses. Each usage reveals a facet of God’s dealings with humanity—His holiness that punishes offense, His faithfulness that sustains the imprisoned apostle, His mercy that equips flawed servants, and His encouragement that surrounds every runner in the race of faith. Englishman's Concordance Mark 9:42 V-PIM/P-3SGRK: μᾶλλον εἰ περίκειται μύλος ὀνικὸς NAS: millstone hung around KJV: that a millstone were hanged about his INT: rather if is put a millstone heavy Luke 17:2 V-PIM/P-3S Acts 28:20 V-PIM/P-1S Hebrews 5:2 V-PIM/P-3S Hebrews 12:1 V-PPM/P-ANS Strong's Greek 4029 |