πέριξ
périx
G4038 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
As an adverb, denotes location or extension in every direction from a central point—'all around,' 'surrounding,' or 'round about.' Used to indicate spatial relations in which something is encircled or lies on every side of a referent. Can also function attributively (effectively as an adjective) to characterize something as encircling or adjacent on all sides.
Semantic Range
all around, on every side, round about, surrounding, encircling, circumjacent
Root / Etymology
Formed from περί (meaning 'around' or 'about') with the suffix -ξ, which is used to form adverbs of place or manner. The adverbial form emphasizes total or circumferential distribution. The precise morphological history of the suffix is debated, but the word is transparently related to περί.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, πέριξ is used as an adverb to denote full encirclement or distribution around a point—e.g., 'on every side,' 'all around.' In the Hellenistic/Koine period, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, it maintains this spatial sense. It commonly describes crowds gathering 'around' a person, lands lying 'about' a city, or people coming from 'all around.' In the LXX, it often translates Hebrew terms for surrounding territories or encircling peoples. The nuance is always circumferential, rather than merely nearby. English 'around' or 'about' can sometimes capture the sense, but 'round about' is sometimes used for archaizing effect in translations. Unlike related words such as κύκλῳ (in a circle, in a ring), πέριξ consistently highlights inclusion or nearness on every side rather than a geometrical path or motion.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
adverb from περί; all around, i.e. (as an adjective) circumjacent:--round about.
Root Family
περ- (diaperáō) — to cross, to go over, to traverse
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1276 | διαπεράω | having crossed over |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4038-01 |
πέριξ | perix | ADV |
around | all around | around | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4038-01 |
Acts 5:16 | πέριξ | perix | ADV |
around | all around | around |