πέραν
péran
G4008 preposition
SILEX Entry
Definition
As an adverb or preposition, pÉran primarily means 'on the other side, across, beyond.' It indicates relative position with respect to a dividing line, space, or boundary—often referring to something located on the far or opposite side. In context, it can denote spatial separation (across a river, over to another shore or region), and, more rarely, figurative separation (across a barrier or limit).
Semantic Range
across, on the other side, beyond, over, farther side; figuratively, outside the bounds, apart from
Root / Etymology
Derived from an older, now-obsolete stem related to piercing or passing through, but the exact etymology is uncertain. The form is related to classical Greek πέραν, with parallel adverbial and prepositional uses.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, πέραν is used as both adverb and preposition, most often with the genitive to indicate 'beyond' or 'on the opposite side' of something (especially rivers or seas). In the Septuagint and the New Testament, it retains this core spatial sense—most often for lands across the Jordan (e.g., 'beyond the Jordan') or other geographic features, sometimes standing in contrast to something 'on this side' (ἐντεῦθεν). Later English translations commonly render the term as 'beyond,' 'across,' or 'on the other side.' The precise boundary referred to is always context-dependent and may be physical (a sea, river, mountain, or region) or, by extension, metaphorical. The usage does not shift substantially between classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek, reflecting continuity in its spatial denotation. The derivation from a verb 'to pierce' is lexical speculation; no such verb is preserved in surviving Greek. There is no particular religious or ethnic connotation inherent to the word.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently accusative case of an obsolete derivative of (to "pierce"); through (as adverb or preposition), i.e. across:--beyond, farther (other) side, over.
Root Family
πέρ- (péran) — to go through, to cross, to be on the far side
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4008-01 |
πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
other side | on the far side of | beyond | 23 |
Occurrences in Scripture
23 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4008-01 |
Matthew 4:15 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
beyond | on the far side of | beyond |
G4008-01 |
Matthew 4:25 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
beyond | on the far side of | on the far side of |
G4008-01 |
Matthew 8:18 | πέραν | peran | ADV |
other side | on the far side of | other side |
G4008-01 |
Matthew 8:28 | πέραν | peran | ADV |
other side | on the far side of | on the far side of |
G4008-01 |
Matthew 14:22 | πέραν | peran | ADV |
other side | on the far side of | across |
G4008-01 |
Matthew 16:5 | πέραν | peran | ADV |
other side | on the far side of | far side |
G4008-01 |
Matthew 19:1 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
beyond | on the far side of | beyond |
G4008-01 |
Mark 3:8 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
beyond | on the far side of | beyond |
G4008-01 |
Mark 4:35 | πέραν | peran | ADV |
other side | on the far side of | other side |
G4008-01 |
Mark 5:1 | πέραν | peran | ADV |
other side | on the far side of | other side |
G4008-01 |
Mark 5:21 | πέραν | peran | ADV |
other side | on the far side of | other side |
G4008-01 |
Mark 6:45 | πέραν | peran | ADV |
other side | on the far side of | other side |
G4008-01 |
Mark 8:13 | πέραν | peran | ADV |
other side | on the far side of | other side |
G4008-01 |
Mark 10:1 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
beyond | on the far side of | beyond |
G4008-01 |
Luke 8:22 | πέραν | peran | ADV |
other side | on the far side of | far side |
G4008-01 |
John 1:28 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
beyond | on the far side of | beyond |
G4008-01 |
John 3:26 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
beyond | on the far side of | beyond |
G4008-01 |
John 6:1 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
to the other side | on the far side of | on the far side of |
G4008-01 |
John 6:17 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
over | on the far side of | across |
G4008-01 |
John 6:22 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
on the other side | on the far side of | on the other side of |
G4008-01 |
John 6:25 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
on the other side | on the far side of | on the other side |
G4008-01 |
John 10:40 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
beyond | on the far side of | beyond |
G4008-01 |
John 18:1 | πέραν | peran | PREP GEN |
over | on the far side of | across |