περιποίησις (G4047) — Greek Lexicon

περιποίησις

peripoíēsis

G4047 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Act of acquiring, obtaining, or gaining possession of something; in extended contexts, something acquired or a possession, often with a nuance of special value or preservation. The term can signify a result of acquisition (i.e., property, possession), or the process itself (gaining, obtaining). In certain Hellenistic and New Testament usages, it may also connote preservation or safeguarding of what has been acquired.

Semantic Range

acquisition, act of obtaining, object acquired, possession (especially one held as special), preservation, safeguarding, salvation (as a possession acquired or preserved)

Root / Etymology

From the verb περιποιέομαι (to acquire, to gain, to preserve); itself formed from περί ('around' or 'concerning') and ποιέω ('to make' or 'to do'). The compound suggests active acquisition or effecting gain for oneself.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, περιποίησις primarily denotes the action of acquiring or obtaining something (e.g., wealth, goods, status). In Hellenistic, Septuagint, and New Testament Greek, the sense expands to signify not only the action but also the object acquired—a possession, especially one considered special or set apart. In the Septuagint (e.g., Malachi 3:17), the term translates the Hebrew סְגֻלָּה (segullāh), denoting a treasured or special possession, reflecting the Israelite concept of YHWH's people as a special property. In the New Testament, περιποίησις is used both for acquisition (e.g., 1 Thess 5:9, 'for obtaining salvation') and as a term for God's people or something preserved by God (Eph 1:14, 'redemption of possession'). Traditional English translations such as 'purchased,' 'peculiar,' or 'possession' often reflect theological tradition but can obscure the nuance of both act and object of acquisition or preservation. The cognate verb περιποιέομαι maintains the dual sense of acquiring and preserving. The term is distinct from more generic terms for property or ownership (such as κτῆμα), emphasizing selection, acquisition, or special preservation.

Translation Consistency

primary "possession" 4 occurrences

‘Possession’ naturally covers both the result (an acquired thing) and the state of holding/safeguarding that the SILEX entry describes. It is common in English translations, more natural-sounding than the more formal ‘acquisition,’ and fits the typical usages of περιποίησις in Hellenistic and NT contexts.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):

"acquisition" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from περιποιέομαι; acquisition (the act or the thing); by extension, preservation:--obtain(-ing), peculiar, purchased, possession, saving.

Root Family

περιποίησις (peripoíēsis) — acquisition, gaining, possession, preservation

Root περιποιη- to acquire, to gain, to preserve

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4047-02`	περιποίησιν	peripoiesin	`N ACC F SG`	obtaining	acquisition	possession	4
`G4047-01`	περιποιήσεως	peripoieseos	`N GEN F SG`	possession	of acquisition	acquisition	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4047-01`	Ephesians 1:14	περιποιήσεως	peripoieseos	`N GEN F SG`	possession	of acquisition	acquisition
`G4047-02`	1 Thessalonians 5:9	περιποίησιν	peripoiesin	`N ACC F SG`	obtaining	acquisition	possession
`G4047-02`	2 Thessalonians 2:14	περιποίησιν	peripoiesin	`N ACC F SG`	obtaining	acquisition	possession
`G4047-02`	Hebrews 10:39	περιποίησιν	peripoiesin	`N ACC F SG`	preservation	acquisition	possession
`G4047-02`	1 Peter 2:9	περιποίησιν	peripoiesin	`N ACC F SG`	possession	acquisition	possession

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