English · KJV
G4023

περιέχω

periéchō /per-ee-ekh'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom περί and ἔχω
Meaningto hold all around, i.e. include, clasp (figuratively)
KJV usage+ astonished, contain, after (this manner).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of periéchō — 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 periéchō, represented by G4023, means to hold all around, include, or clasp. It appears 3 times in 3 unique verses, carrying figurative meanings such as to contain a statement, to be astonished, or to describe something done after a certain manner.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G4023 conveys different applications of being held or included. It is used in 1 Peter 2:6 to state that a prophecy is contained in the scripture G1124. In Luke 5:9, the word describes an emotional state, where an individual was astonished, or figuratively "held about," by the miraculous draught G61 of fishes G2486. Finally, it describes the form of a written document in Acts 23:25, where a letter G1992 was written after a particular manner G5179.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which G4023 is used:

  • G1124 graphḗ (scripture): This word for a document or holy Writ provides the context where G4023 means to contain a specific declaration 1 Peter 2:6.
  • G2285 thámbos (astonishment): Used directly with G4023 in Luke 5:9, this term for stupefaction emphasizes the feeling of being completely seized or held by amazement.
  • G1992 epistolḗ (epistle, letter): This word identifies the type of written message whose form is described by G4023 in Acts 23:25.

Theological Significance

The significance of G4023 is seen in its varied applications:

  • Prophetic Containment: The word affirms that scripture G1124 contains vital truths. It is used to introduce the prophecy of the chief corner G204 stone G3037 laid in Sion G4622, who is elect G1588 and precious G1784 1 Peter 2:6.
  • Response to the Divine: G4023 is used to describe a powerful human response to a divine act. The disciples were completely astonished at the draught G61 of fishes G2486, demonstrating how a miracle can encompass a person's senses Luke 5:9.
  • Communicated Form: The term is applied to the structure of human communication, where a letter G1992 is written to contain a particular style or manner G5179, indicating purpose and deliberation in the message Acts 23:25.

Summary

In summary, G4023 is a versatile term that illustrates the concept of "holding all around" in different ways. It shows how the scripture G1124 can contain a prophecy, how an emotion like astonishment G2285 can envelop a person, and how a document can be defined by the manner G5179 it contains. Though used infrequently, its appearances are notable for describing the inclusion of text, emotion, and form.

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 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • 2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Present Active Participle Accusative Singular Feminine 1×
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
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.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G1124 γραφή from γράφω; a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it):--scripture. G61 ἄγρα from ἄγω; (abstractly) a catching (of fish); also (concretely) a haul (of fish):--draught. G2486 ἰχθύς of uncertain affinity; a fish:--fish. G1992 ἐπιστολή from ἐπιστέλλω; a written message:--"epistle," letter. G5179 τύπος from τύπτω; a die (as struck), i.e. (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy, a shape, i.e. a statue, (figuratively) G2285 θάμβος akin to an obsolete (to dumbfound); stupefaction (by surprise), i.e. astonishment:--X amazed, + astonished, wonder.

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 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke, Acts, and 1 Peter (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

1
Luke
1
Acts
1
1 Peter

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.