Word Study for G2944 (κυκλόω)

kyklóō /koo-klo'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom the same as κύκλῳ

Meaningto encircle, i.e. surround

KJV usagecompass (about), come (stand) round about.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kyklóō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word kyklóō, represented by G2944, is defined as to encircle or surround. Derived from κύκλῳ, it is translated as to compass about, or to come or stand round about. This term appears 7 times across 5 unique verses in scripture, often describing a physical act of surrounding a person or a place.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G2944 illustrates several types of encirclement. It is used to describe a hostile crowd gathering around Jesus to question Him John 10:24 and disciples gathering around Paul after he was attacked Acts 14:20. The word also depicts military or strategic encirclements, such as the walls of Jericho being compassed for seven days Hebrews 11:30 and the prophetic warning of Jerusalem being compassed with armies Luke 21:20. In a final, eschatological sense, it describes enemy forces as they compassed the camp of the saints Revelation 20:9.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context in which G2944 is used:

G4760 stratópedon (army): This word, meaning a body of troops, is used in connection with G2944 to describe the forces that will surround Jerusalem, signaling its coming desolation Luke 21:20.
G3925 parembolḗ (camp, castle): This term for an encampment or barracks is the object of the surrounding in Revelation, where hostile forces compassed the "camp of the saints" Revelation 20:9.
G305 anabaínō (to go up): This word for ascending is used to describe the action of the armies who "went up on the breadth of the earth" just before they compassed the holy city Revelation 20:9.

Theological Significance

The narrative weight of G2944 is significant, as the act of surrounding often precedes a pivotal moment or judgment.

Prelude to Action: The encircling of a place or person consistently leads to a decisive event. The walls of Jericho fell after being compassed Hebrews 11:30, the desolation of Jerusalem is declared nigh when it is compassed Luke 21:20, and divine fire descends after the camp of the saints is compassed Revelation 20:9.
Confrontation and Support: The intent behind the encirclement varies with context. It can be hostile, as when the Jews came round about Jesus to challenge him John 10:24. It can also be supportive, as when the disciples stood round about Paul, after which he was able to rise and continue his journey Acts 14:20.
Strategic Encirclement: In military contexts, the word highlights a key maneuver. It is used for the siege of Jericho by faith Hebrews 11:30 and the siege of Jerusalem by enemy armies Luke 21:20.

Summary

In summary, G2944 is more than just a word for making a circle. It is a dynamic term that signifies a critical moment of confrontation or impending change. Whether depicting a military siege, a hostile crowd, or a protective gathering of disciples, kyklóō effectively frames a scene, focusing attention on a central subject right before a key event unfolds in the biblical narrative.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 5 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 2×
Aorist Active Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 1×
Aorist Passive Participle Nominative Plural Neuter 1×
Present Passive Participle Accusative Singular Feminine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 5 verses across 5 of the 27 books. 5 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 22.

Luke

John

Acts

Hebrews

Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.