περιῤῥήγνυμι
perirrhḗgnymi
G4048 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To tear or rend something all around, to remove by tearing, to thoroughly tear off or away. The primary lexical meaning is 'to tear completely off,' indicating not just partial tearing but a full separation by force. Contextually, it may refer to tearing apart garments, veils, or other objects so as to separate them completely from their original position or attachment.
Semantic Range
to tear completely off, to remove by tearing, to strip away, to rend all around
Root / Etymology
Formed from the preposition περί ('around') and the verb ῥήγνυμι ('to break, shatter, tear'). The compound emphasizes thorough or all-encompassing tearing, i.e., tearing away completely or all around something.
Historical & Contextual Notes
περιῤῥήγνυμι occurs rarely in extant Greek literature, mainly appearing in later Koine and post-classical sources, including the New Testament (e.g., Acts 16:22). The term intensifies the sense of ῥήγνυμι by adding περί, conveying an action that results in total separation or the removal of what is torn. In the New Testament, it is used to describe the violent act of tearing garments all around, completely removing them. This usage may echo traditional expressions of grief or outrage, but the verb itself focuses on the physical act of complete tearing rather than the symbolic meaning. Standard English translations often render it as 'to tear off' or 'to strip,' but these can obscure the full sense of comprehensive removal implied by the Greek compound. The word is distinct from similar verbs like διαῤῥήγνυμι (to split apart) or σχίζω (to split), emphasizing the encircling or all-surrounding nature of the action.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from περί and ῥήγνυμι; to tear all around, i.e. completely away:--rend off.
Root Family
περιῤῥήγνυμι (perirrhēgnymi) — to break, to tear, to shatter, to tear completely off
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4048-01 |
περιρήξαντες | perirexantes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
tore off | having torn completely off | having torn completely off | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4048-01 |
Acts 16:22 | περιρήξαντες | perirexantes | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
tore off | having torn completely off | having torn completely off |