κυκλόω
kyklóō
G2944 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To make a circle around, to surround or encompass (something or someone) by moving or positioning around it. The verb conveys both the literal action of encircling geographically or physically and, in some contexts, a figurative sense of surrounding or hemming in with people or objects.
Semantic Range
to encircle physically, to surround or besiege (military), to gather or cluster around a person, to be enclosed by or hemmed in, to compass (about), to form a ring around
Root / Etymology
From the root κύκλ- (circle, ring), related to κύκλος (circle). Formed with the verbal ending -όω, meaning 'to make' or 'to do' relative to the base noun.
Historical & Contextual Notes
κυκλόω is primarily found in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and the New Testament. In earlier Classical Greek, it is less common; related terms such as κυκλεῖν, κυκλοῦν, or the noun κύκλος are attested. In biblical texts, the verb typically describes military actions (to surround a city in siege), the gathering of crowds around a person, or being enclosed by dangers. In many English Bibles, it is translated as 'compass,' 'surround,' or 'encircle,' but the nuance of action—physically moving around or the process of enclosing—may be underrepresented. The figurative sense (to be beset by circumstances or people) is present in some contexts, especially metaphorical descriptions. The verb contrasts with more general terms like περικυκλόω ('to encircle all around') or περικλύζω (to wash around, as with water), which may express more intensive or encompassing actions.
Translation Consistency
“Surround” is the most natural, commonly used verb that covers the full SILEX range — to encircle physically, to cluster or hem in, and to besiege or compass about. It reads well in literal and figurative contexts and is preferable to the more formal “encircle” or specialized “besiege.”
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as κύκλῳ; to encircle, i.e. surround:--compass (about), come (stand) round about.
Root Family
κυκλ- (kyklóthen) — encircle, surround, go around
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G2943 | κυκλόθεν | from all around |
| G2945 | κύκλῳ | in a circle |
| G4033 | περικυκλόω | they will encircle completely |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2944-01 |
ἐκύκλωσαν | ekuklosan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
gathered around | they encircled | they surrounded | 2 |
G2944-02 |
κυκλωσάντων | kuklosanton | V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M PL |
having surrounded | of those who encircled | of those who surrounded | 1 |
G2944-03 |
κυκλωθέντα | kuklothenta | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM N PL |
after they had been encircled | having been encircled | having been encircled | 1 |
G2944-04 |
κυκλουμένην | kukloumenen | V PRS PASS PTCP ACC F SG |
being surrounded | being encircled | being surrounded | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2944-04 |
Luke 21:20 | κυκλουμένην | kukloumenen | V PRS PASS PTCP ACC F SG |
being surrounded | being encircled | being surrounded |
G2944-01 |
John 10:24 | ἐκύκλωσαν | ekuklosan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
gathered around | they encircled | they surrounded |
G2944-02 |
Acts 14:20 | κυκλωσάντων | kuklosanton | V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M PL |
having surrounded | of those who encircled | of those who surrounded |
G2944-03 |
Hebrews 11:30 | κυκλωθέντα | kuklothenta | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM N PL |
after they had been encircled | having been encircled | having been encircled |
G2944-01 |
Revelation 20:9 | ἐκύκλωσαν | ekuklosan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
surrounded | they encircled | they surrounded |