English · KJV
G4034

περιλάμπω

perilámpō /per-ee-lam'-po/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom περί and λάμπω
Meaningto illuminate all around, i.e. invest with a halo
KJV usageshine round about.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of perilámpō — 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 perilámpō, represented by G4034, means to illuminate all around or to shine round about. Formed from the words περί and λάμπω, it describes a light that envelops its subject. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, making it a rare but specific term for a powerful manifestation of light.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two uses of G4034 occur in pivotal moments of divine revelation. In one account, an angel of the Lord appeared, and "the glory of the Lord shone round about them," causing great fear Luke 2:9. In the other, Paul recounts seeing a "light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about" him and his companions on their journey Acts 26:13. In both instances, the word describes a supernatural, surrounding light that signifies a heavenly presence.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the nature of this divine illumination:

  • G1391 dóxa (glory): This term is directly associated with G4034 when the glory of the Lord shines Luke 2:9. It is used throughout scripture to signify God's manifest presence, honor, and majesty.
  • G2987 lamprótēs (brightness): This word emphasizes the sheer intensity of the light, which was "above the brightness of the sun" Acts 26:13.
  • G5457 phōs (light): This is the substance of the phenomenon itself, described as "a light from heaven" Acts 26:13. The term is theologically significant, as God is called the "Father of lights" James 1:17 and Jesus identifies himself as "the light of the world" John 8:12.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4034 is found in its specific application to divine encounters.

  • Sign of Divine Presence: The act of "shining round about" serves as an unmistakable marker of a communication from God, whether through an angel Luke 2:9 or from Christ himself Acts 26:13.
  • Overwhelming Glory: This is not a gentle glow but an all-encompassing radiance. It is described as the Lord's "glory" G1391 and a heavenly "light" G5457 so intense it surpasses the sun's "brightness" G2987.
  • A Call to See: The event described in Acts is explicitly for the purpose of turning people "from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God" Acts 26:18, showing the revelatory purpose of this divine illumination.

Summary

In summary, G4034 is a precise verb used for rare but critical moments of heavenly manifestation. Though used only twice, it powerfully conveys the concept of being completely enveloped by a divine light. It connects the physical event of "shining round about" with the profound realities of God's glory G1391 and the revelatory power of His light G5457.

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 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Aorist Active Participle Accusative Singular Neuter 1×
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Neuter
Neuter grammatical gender.
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
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.

G1391 δόξα from the base of δοκέω; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective) G2987 λαμπρότης from λαμπρός; brilliancy:--brightness. G5457 φῶς from an obsolete (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; compare φαίνω, φημί); luminousness (in the widest appl

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 2 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke and Acts (1 verse each); never once in the other 25.

1
Luke
1
Acts

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.