### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb περικρύπτω (perikrýptō), Strong's `{{G4032}}`, is a compound word derived from the preposition περί (peri), meaning "around, about, concerning," and the verb κρύπτω (kryptō), meaning "to hide, conceal." The prefix περί intensifies the action of κρύπτω, conveying a sense of comprehensive or all-encompassing concealment. It implies not merely a simple act of hiding, but a thorough withdrawal or covering from all sides, making the hidden subject completely out of sight or inaccessible for a period. This distinguishes it from more general terms for hiding, emphasizing the totality and deliberateness of the concealment. The nuance suggests that the individual or object is hidden *all around*, ensuring privacy or protection.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb περικρύπτω (perikrýptō) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 1:24]]:** "After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she hid herself (περιεκρύπτετο) for five months, saying, 'Thus the Lord has dealt with me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.'"
In this singular instance, Elizabeth's act of "hiding herself" follows immediately after her miraculous conception, an event foretold by the angel Gabriel to her husband Zechariah. The use of περικρύπτω here suggests a deliberate and complete withdrawal from public view for a period of five months. This was clearly not a hiding born of shame for her pregnancy, as the subsequent verse explicitly states she viewed it as the Lord removing her "reproach" of barrenness. Instead, her seclusion likely served several profound purposes:
1. **Private Reflection and Thanksgiving:** A period for Elizabeth to privately process the miraculous intervention of God in her life and to commune with Him in gratitude.
2. **Protection of the Sacred:** To guard the sanctity and unique nature of this divinely initiated pregnancy from premature public scrutiny, gossip, or misunderstanding.
3. **Divine Instruction and Preparation:** It may have been a divinely prompted period of quietude, allowing for spiritual preparation for the extraordinary role her son, John the Baptist, would fulfill as the forerunner of the Messiah.
4. **Aligning with God's Timing:** Her five-month period of concealment sets the stage for Mary's visit in the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, leading to the prophetic encounter between the two expectant mothers ([[Luke 1:39-45]]). This period of hiddenness underscores God's precise timing in unfolding His redemptive plan.
### Related Words & Concepts
The base verb κρύπτω (kryptō) `{{G2928}}` is foundational, meaning "to hide, conceal." Other related Greek terms and concepts include:
* κρυπτός (kryptos) `{{G2927}}`: An adjective meaning "hidden, secret" (e.g., hidden manna, hidden wisdom, secret place).
* ἀποκρύπτω (apokryptō) `{{G613}}`: To hide away, conceal completely (e.g., things hidden from the wise and understanding).
* συγκρύπτω (synkryptō) `{{G4723}}`: To hide together or completely (less common in the NT).
* κρύπτη (kryptē) `{{G2926}}`: A crypt, vault, or hidden place.
The broader biblical theme of "hiding" encompasses various facets:
* **Divine Concealment:** God's ways are often mysterious or hidden from human comprehension ([[Isaiah 45:15]], "Truly you are a God who hides himself").
* **Human Hiding from God:** The attempt to hide from divine presence after sin ([[Genesis 3:8]]).
* **Protection and Preservation:** Hiding to escape danger or persecution (e.g., Moses as a baby, Jesus' family fleeing to Egypt).
* **Periods of Preparation:** A time of quiet development or incubation before public manifestation, as seen in Elizabeth's case, and arguably in Jesus' "hidden years" before His ministry.
* **Hidden Spiritual Truths:** Truths that are concealed from those who are spiritually blind but revealed to those with humble hearts (e.g., the purpose of parables).
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of περικρύπτω in the narrative of Elizabeth's pregnancy in [[Luke 1:24]] carries profound theological implications regarding the nature of God's work and His divine economy.
1. **Divine Timing and Sovereignty:** Elizabeth's period of seclusion highlights God's meticulous orchestration of events. The miraculous conception of John the Baptist, the forerunner, was not meant for immediate public spectacle. God often operates in hidden, preparatory phases before revealing His grand designs. This teaches that not all divine activity is immediately visible or celebrated; much of it occurs in the private, unseen spaces of life and history, awaiting its appointed time.
2. **The Hidden Work of God:** This passage illustrates that some of God's most significant works begin in obscurity, away from the public gaze. Just as John the Baptist's preparation began in the privacy of Elizabeth's womb and then her home, so too did Christ's own life begin in the humble, hidden circumstances of Nazareth. This emphasizes that God does not always require public fanfare for His work to be effective; much of His power is manifested in quiet, unseen ways.
3. **Preparation for Revelation:** Elizabeth's "hiding" served as a period of sacred preparation, not only for her but for the unfolding of God's plan. It set the stage for the dramatic encounter with Mary ([[Luke 1:39-45]]) and the subsequent birth of John, who would prepare the way for Jesus. The period of "hiddenness" enhances the impact and significance of the eventual "revelation."
4. **Sanctity of Beginnings:** The privacy surrounding Elizabeth's pregnancy subtly underscores the sacredness of life's earliest stages, especially when divinely initiated. It suggests a period of nurturing and protection for a life destined for extraordinary purpose.
### Summary
The Greek verb περικρύπτω (perikrýptō) `{{G4032}}` signifies a complete and thorough concealment, stemming from its components περί (around) and κρύπτω (to hide). Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Luke 1:24]] describes Elizabeth's five-month period of self-seclusion after conceiving John the Baptist. This act of "hiding herself" was not a result of shame but rather a deliberate withdrawal, likely for private reflection, divine protection, and spiritual preparation for the miraculous birth and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Theologically, this unique usage underscores the principle of divine timing, the often-hidden nature of God's preparatory work, and the sacredness of the initial, unseen stages of His grand designs before their public manifestation. It serves as a reminder that significant spiritual events often begin in quiet obscurity before their eventual revelation and impact.
TRV