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περιβλέπω

periblépō

G4017 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To look around, to observe attentively or deliberately in all directions; to look about oneself, often with intentional awareness of surroundings. In narrative contexts, signifies an active surveying or scanning of people or environment, sometimes implying evaluation or anticipation.

Semantic Range

to look around, to look about, to look (someone or something) over, to observe carefully in all directions, to survey one's surroundings

Root / Etymology

From περί (around, about) and βλέπω (to see, look, behold).

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in Hellenistic and Koine literature, particularly in the Septuagint and New Testament, where it commonly appears in narrative scenes involving Jesus or others making deliberate, comprehensive observations of those around them. In the New Testament, especially in the Gospels (e.g. Mark 3:5, 3:34), περιβλέπω marks a careful and expressive scanning of surroundings or people, often indicating emotional involvement (e.g., concern, displeasure). The compound intensifies the simple verb 'to see' by adding the sense of completeness or thoroughness to the act of looking. In classical Greek, the word is rare and the compounded form highlights the scope of perception. Standard English translations such as 'look around' capture the general sense, but sometimes fail to evoke the deliberative or comprehensive nature present in the Greek. There is no significant theological nuance attached to the word itself—it is primarily descriptive and narrative in function.

Translation Consistency

primary "look" 7 occurrences

Periblépō's primary sense is an active, deliberate act of seeing or surveying one’s surroundings. "Look" is the most natural, versatile English verb to cover "look around/about," "look over," and related uses in narrative contexts. It allows idiomatic renderings (e.g. "look around") while keeping a single consistent base for all inflections and compounds.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from περί and βλέπω; to look all around:--look (round) about (on).

Root Family

περιβλέπω (periblepō) — to see, to look, to observe, to look around

Root βλέπ- to see, to look, to observe

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4017-02 περιβλεψάμενος periblepsamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG looking around having looked around himself having looked around himself 5
G4017-03 περιεβλέπετο perieblepeto V IMPF MID IND 3P SG he kept looking around he was looking around himself he was looking around himself 1
G4017-01 περιβλεψάμενοι periblepsamenoi V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL they looked around having looked around themselves having looked around themselves 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4017-02 Mark 3:5 περιβλεψάμενος periblepsamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG having looked around having looked around himself having looked around himself
G4017-02 Mark 3:34 περιβλεψάμενος periblepsamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG looking around having looked around himself having looked around himself
G4017-03 Mark 5:32 περιεβλέπετο perieblepeto V IMPF MID IND 3P SG he kept looking around he was looking around himself he was looking around himself
G4017-01 Mark 9:8 περιβλεψάμενοι periblepsamenoi V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL they looked around having looked around themselves having looked around themselves
G4017-02 Mark 10:23 περιβλεψάμενος periblepsamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG looking around having looked around himself having looked around himself
G4017-02 Mark 11:11 περιβλεψάμενος periblepsamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG having looked around having looked around himself having looked around himself
G4017-02 Luke 6:10 περιβλεψάμενος periblepsamenos V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG looking around having looked around himself having looked around at them
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