Word Study for G4016 (περιβάλλω)

peribállō /per-ee-bal'-lo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom περί and βάλλω

Meaningto throw all around, i.e. invest (with a palisade or with clothing)

KJV usagearray, cast about, clothe(-d me), put on.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of peribállō — 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 peribállō, represented by G4016, means to throw all around or invest. It appears 28 times across 24 unique verses and is most frequently used in the context of clothing, with translations like array, clothe, and put on. Its meaning extends from the literal act of dressing to the symbolic act of being invested with a certain quality, status, or appearance.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, G4016 describes both physical and spiritual coverings. It addresses basic human needs, as when Jesus speaks of what people will be clothed with Matthew 6:31, and it is a key action in compassionate ministry to the naked Matthew 25:36. In the book of Revelation, the word takes on significant symbolic weight. Heavenly beings are described as being clothed in attire that signifies their nature or role, such as the angel clothed with a cloud Revelation 10:1 or the great multitude clothed with white robes Revelation 7:9. In a unique literal sense that reflects its root meaning, it is used to describe enemies who will cast a trench about Jerusalem Luke 19:43.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide further context for the act of being clothed:

G2440 himátion (a dress, garment, raiment): This is a common object of the verb. Believers who overcome are promised they will be clothed in white raiment Revelation 3:5.
G1131 gymnós (naked): This word describes the state that G4016 remedies. Providing clothing for the naked is presented as a righteous act performed for Christ himself Matthew 25:36.
G4749 stolḗ (long clothing, robe): This term often denotes a garment of dignity or honor. At the sepulchre, a young man was seen clothed in a long white garment Mark 16:5.
G1039 býssinos (made of linen): This describes a specific, high-quality material used for clothing. The bride of the Lamb is granted to be arrayed in fine linen Revelation 19:8.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4016 is significant, especially in its symbolic applications.

Investiture with Righteousness: Being clothed often signifies receiving a new spiritual status. For the bride of the Lamb, being arrayed in fine linen is explicitly linked to "the righteousness of saints" Revelation 19:8.
Covering of Shame: The act of being clothed is contrasted with the shame of nakedness. The church in Laodicea is counseled to buy white raiment to be clothed so that the shame of their nakedness does not appear Revelation 3:18.
Symbol of Divine Status and Authority: The appearance of heavenly figures is often defined by what they are clothed in. The Word of God is clothed with a vesture dipped in blood Revelation 19:13, and the woman in the great wonder is clothed with the sun Revelation 12:1.

Summary

In summary, G4016 is a versatile word that moves from the literal act of putting on a garment to the profound spiritual concept of being invested with a new identity. It is used to illustrate God's provision for physical needs, the importance of compassion, and the spiritual reality of being covered in righteousness and honor through Christ. Whether describing a simple robe or a heavenly garment, peribállō consistently points to the significance of what one is covered with.

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 24 occurrences, inflected in 17 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Active Indicative 2nd Plural 2×
2nd Aorist Middle Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Perfect Middle Or Passive Participle Nominative Singular Feminine 2×
Perfect Middle Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 2×
Perfect Middle Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 2×
Perfect Middle Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 2×
Perfect Middle Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 2×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
2nd Aorist Middle Imperative 2nd Singular 1×
2nd Aorist Middle Subjunctive 1st Plural 1×

+ 5 rarer forms

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Middle Or Passive: Can be read as middle or passive; context decides.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
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 24 verses across 6 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Revelation (12 verses); never once in the other 21.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

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.