περιπίπτω (G4045) — Greek Lexicon

περιπίπτω

peripíptō

G4045 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To fall into or upon, to come upon unexpectedly or accidentally, often with the sense of encountering something by chance or being overtaken by an event or circumstance. The verb specifically emphasizes the sense of being surrounded by or immersed in something upon falling—whether physically (as into a group or situation) or figuratively (as into danger or misfortune).

Semantic Range

to fall into, to fall among, to come upon unexpectedly, to be overtaken by, to be surrounded by, to encounter (especially dangers or adversities)

Root / Etymology

From the preposition περί (around, about) and the verb πίπτω (to fall); thus, literally 'to fall around' or 'to fall into the midst of.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, περιπίπτω is used for both literal and figurative falling, e.g., falling into a ditch or being caught in unexpected circumstances. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, it denotes unexpectedly coming upon or falling into something—frequently dangers, trouble, hands of adversaries, or specific situations (e.g., Luke 10:30: falling among robbers). The nuance of being surrounded or encompassed is intrinsic to the prefix, distinguishing it from simple πίπτω. English translations often render the word as 'fall among,' 'fall into,' or 'come upon,' though these rarely capture the sense of sudden immersion or being encircled by a situation. The term does not imply intent but rather accident or unforeseen encounter. In LXX and NT, it is used both for literal and metaphorical encounters, often with negative connotations (dangers, trials, enemies).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from περί and πίπτω; to fall into something that is all around, i.e. light among or upon, be surrounded with:--fall among (into).

Root Family

περιπίπτω (peripiptō) — to fall into, to fall among, to be surrounded by, to encounter suddenly

Root περι-πῖπτ- to fall, to surround, to encounter suddenly

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4045-01`	περιέπεσεν	periepesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	fell among	fell into the midst of	fell among	1
`G4045-03`	περιπεσόντες	peripesontes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	striking	having fallen among	having fallen upon	1
`G4045-02`	περιπέσητε	peripesete	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL`	you fall	you might fall into	you might fall into	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4045-01`	Luke 10:30	περιέπεσεν	periepesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	fell among	fell into the midst of	fell among
`G4045-03`	Acts 27:41	περιπεσόντες	peripesontes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	striking	having fallen among	having fallen upon
`G4045-02`	James 1:2	περιπέσητε	peripesete	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL`	you fall	you might fall into	you might fall into

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