from περί and τίθημι; to place around; by implication, to present:--bestow upon, hedge round about, put about (on, upon), set about.
Transliteration:peritíthēmi
Pronunciation:per-ee-tith'-ay-mee
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb περιτίθημι (peritíthēmi, `{{G4060}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition περί (peri, `{{G4012}}`), meaning "around" or "about," and the verb τίθημι (tithēmi, `{{G5087}}`), meaning "to place," "to put," or "to set." Therefore, the core meaning is "to place around," "to put about," or "to set around." This primary sense denotes an action that encircles, surrounds, or encloses.
From this literal sense, the word extends to a broader semantic range, encompassing:
1. **Physical Enclosure/Protection:** To put a barrier or boundary around something, such as a hedge.
2. **Physical Adornment/Clothing:** To place an article of clothing, an ornament, or a crown upon someone, often implying it is "put about" or "on" the person.
3. **Figurative Bestowal/Impartation:** By implication, to "bestow upon" or "present" something intangible, such as honor or dignity, upon a person or object. This extends the idea of "placing around" to "investing with" or "imparting to."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Peritíthēmi appears in the New Testament in various contexts, illustrating its semantic breadth:
* **Enclosure for Protection:** In the parable of the wicked tenants, Jesus describes a man who "planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it" [[Mark 12:1]]. Here, peritíthēmi clearly refers to the physical act of building a protective barrier (a hedge, φραγμός `{{G5424}}`) around the vineyard, signifying careful preparation and safeguarding. This mirrors Old Testament imagery of God's protective care for Israel.
* **Physical Adornment/Mockery:** The word is used to describe the actions of the Roman soldiers during Christ's passion:
* They "stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe" [[Matthew 27:28]].
* They "clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head" [[Mark 15:17]].
* Similarly, "And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head" [[John 19:2]].
In these instances, peritíthēmi denotes the action of placing clothing or an object (the robe, the crown of thorns) upon or around Jesus. While a literal act of dressing, the context is one of mockery and humiliation, transforming what might otherwise be an act of adornment into one of profound degradation.
* **Figurative Bestowal of Honor:** In the context of Paul's discourse on the body of Christ, he writes, "And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour" [[1 Corinthians 12:23]]. Here, peritíthēmi is translated as "bestow upon," indicating the deliberate act of granting or imparting honor (τιμή `{{G5092}}`) to parts of the body that are naturally considered less presentable. This is a metaphorical application, where honor is "placed around" or "invested in" these members, compensating for their perceived lack.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of peritíthēmi is enhanced by considering its constituent parts and related terms:
* **τίθημι (tithēmi, `{{G5087}}`):** The base verb, meaning "to place, put, set." Understanding this root clarifies the fundamental action of peritíthēmi.
* **περί (peri, `{{G4012}}`):** The preposition "around," which defines the directional aspect of the action, whether literally or figuratively.
* **φραγμός (phragmos, `{{G5424}}`):** "Hedge" or "fence," the object of peritíthēmi in [[Mark 12:1]], highlighting the protective aspect.
* **ἐνδύω (endyō, `{{G1746}}`):** "To put on" or "to clothe," a more general verb for dressing, which overlaps with the meaning of peritíthēmi in the context of robes and garments. Peritíthēmi often implies a more deliberate or specific placement "around" rather than simply "on."
* **τιμή (timē, `{{G5092}}`):** "Honor" or "value," the abstract concept bestowed in [[1 Corinthians 12:23]], demonstrating the word's capacity for metaphorical usage.
### Theological Significance
While peritíthēmi often describes mundane actions, its use in Scripture carries significant theological weight:
* **Divine Providence and Protection:** The "hedge" placed around the vineyard in [[Mark 12:1]] symbolizes God's meticulous care, provision, and protection for His people. Just as a physical hedge safeguards a vineyard, God's divine hand actively encloses and preserves those He has chosen, providing boundaries for their flourishing and protection from external threats. This echoes Old Testament themes of God's covenantal faithfulness and His role as Israel's guardian (cf. [[Isaiah 5:2]], [[Job 1:10]]).
* **The Humiliation and Atonement of Christ:** The accounts of soldiers placing a scarlet robe and a crown of thorns upon Jesus ([[Matthew 27:28]], [[Mark 15:17]], [[John 19:2]]) are poignant illustrations of His suffering and humiliation. These acts, though intended as mockery, were integral to His atoning work. The "placing around" of these objects highlights the depth of His condescension and the physical and emotional pain He endured, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating the extent of His sacrificial love. The very items meant to degrade Him became symbols of His ultimate victory and kingship.
* **Ecclesiological Principles of Honor and Interdependence:** In [[1 Corinthians 12:23]], Paul's use of peritíthēmi ("bestow more abundant honor") reveals a profound theological principle concerning the body of Christ. It teaches that God, in His wisdom, has designed the church such that the seemingly "less honorable" or weaker members are to be given special care and dignity. This counter-cultural principle promotes humility, mutual respect, and interdependence within the community of believers, reflecting God's own valuing of the humble and the vulnerable. It underscores that true honor is not inherent status but a divine bestowal, especially upon those whom the world might overlook.
### Summary
Peritíthēmi (`{{G4060}}`) fundamentally means "to place around" or "to set about." Its usage in the New Testament extends from literal actions of physical enclosure (a hedge around a vineyard) and clothing (a robe or crown on Jesus) to the metaphorical bestowal of honor. Theologically, this seemingly simple verb illuminates profound truths: God's protective providence over His people, the depth of Christ's suffering and humiliation on the path to atonement, and the divine wisdom embedded in the church's structure, where honor is intentionally given to all members, especially the humble. Thus, peritíthēmi speaks to divine action, human cruelty, and the sacred ordering of the believing community.
TRV