Word Study for G4026 (περιΐστημι)

periḯstēmi /per-ee-is'-tay-mee/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom περί and ἵστημι

Meaningto stand all around, i.e. (near) to be a bystander, or (aloof) to keep away from

KJV usageavoid, shun, stand by (round about).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of periḯstēmi — 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 periḯstēmi, represented by G4026, is derived from περί and ἵστημι and means to stand all around. It appears 4 times in 4 unique verses and carries a dual meaning: it can refer to being a bystander standing near, or it can mean to keep away from something, to avoid or shun it.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G4026 is applied in two distinct ways. In an instructional context, it is a command to keep away from harmful discourse. Paul urges Timothy to shun profane and vain babblings, as they lead to more ungodliness 2 Timothy 2:16. Similarly, he instructs Titus to avoid foolish questions and contentions about the law, calling them unprofitable and vain Titus 3:9. In a literal sense, the word describes physical presence. In Acts, the Jews who accused Paul stood round about him Acts 25:7, and in the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks for the benefit of the people who stand by John 11:42.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Greek words clarify the nature of what is to be avoided or shunned:

G3474 mōrós (foolish): This describes the kind of questions to be avoided. The term means "dull or stupid... heedless... absurd" Titus 3:9.
G952 bébēlos (profane): This is used to characterize the babblings that must be shunned, defined as "heathenish, wicked" 2 Timothy 2:16.
G2214 zḗtēsis (question): This refers to a "dispute or its theme," identifying the source of unprofitable arguments to be avoided Titus 3:9.
G2054 éris (contentions): This word for "a quarrel... strife" is listed among the things to avoid, highlighting the divisive nature of such debates Titus 3:9.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G4026 is primarily practical, guiding believers in their conduct and focus.

Guarding Against Ungodliness: The command to shun profane and vain babblings 2 Timothy 2:16 and avoid foolish questions Titus 3:9 serves as a directive to protect one's faith from corruption. These activities are described as unprofitable and leading to "more ungodliness."
The Role of the Witness: In its literal sense, the word underscores the importance of testimony. Jesus intentionally speaks for "the people which stand by" so that they might believe he was sent by God, highlighting the role of the bystander as a potential witness to divine truth John 11:42.
The Nature of Opposition: The term is also used to frame scenes of conflict. The accusers of Paul who stood round about him in court illustrate how physical presence can represent legal and spiritual opposition Acts 25:7.

Summary

In summary, G4026 is a versatile word that conveys both physical position and ethical action. On one hand, it literally depicts a person or group standing near, either as an observer or an accuser. On the other hand, it serves as a strong pastoral command to deliberately keep one's distance from fruitless and ungodly arguments. This word therefore defines not only one's place in a crowd but also one's spiritual posture toward a foolish world.

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

Present Middle Imperative 2nd Singular 2×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Perfect Active Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×

Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine 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.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
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 4 verses across 4 of the 27 books. 4 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 23.

John

Acts

2 Timothy

Titus

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.