4020. periergazomai

Lexicon

periergazomai: To meddle, to be a busybody, to engage in unnecessary or intrusive activity.

Original Word: περιεργάζομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: periergazomai
Pronunciation: pe-ree-er-GAD-zom-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee-er-gad'-zom-ahee)
Definition: To meddle, to be a busybody, to engage in unnecessary or intrusive activity.
Meaning: I overdo, am a busybody, waste my labor about (a thing).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

be a busybody.

From peri and ergazomai; to work all around, i.e. Bustle about (meddle) -- be a busybody.

see GREEK peri

see GREEK ergazomai

HELPS Word-studies

4020 periergázomai (from 4012 /perí, "all-around" and 2038 /ergázomai, "to work") – properly, work all-around, i.e. to meddle, going beyond proper boundaries (where a person doesn't belong); to fixate on what others are doing, instead of doing what the person himself is supposed to do (used only in 2 thes 3:11).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from peri and ergazomai
Definition
to waste one's labor about (a thing)
NASB Translation
acting like busybodies (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4020: περιεργάζομαι

περιεργάζομαι; (see περί, III. 2); to bustle about uselessly, to busy oneself about trifling, needless, useless matters, (Sir. 3:23; Herodotus 3, 46; Plato, Apology, p. 19 b.; others): used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about others' affairs (A. V. to be a busybody), 2 Thessalonians 3:11, as in Demosthenes, p. 150, 24 (cf. p. 805, 4 etc.).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek words περί (peri, meaning "around" or "about") and ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai, meaning "to work" or "to labor").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for περιεργάζομαι in the Old Testament. However, the concept of meddling or being a busybody can be related to Hebrew terms that describe similar behaviors, such as רָגַל (ragal, meaning "to slander" or "to go about as a talebearer") and other terms associated with gossip or unnecessary involvement in others' matters.

Usage: The term is used in the New Testament to describe individuals who engage in unnecessary or inappropriate activities, often involving themselves in matters that do not pertain to them. It carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of focus on one's own responsibilities.

Context: The Greek verb περιεργάζομαι appears in the New Testament in contexts that caution against idleness and meddling in others' affairs. It is notably used in 2 Thessalonians 3:11, where Paul addresses the issue of some individuals in the Thessalonian church who were not working but instead were being disruptive by involving themselves in matters that did not concern them. The apostle admonishes such behavior, urging believers to lead a quiet life and work with their own hands.

In 1 Timothy 5:13, the term is used to describe certain younger widows who, instead of being productive, become idle and engage in gossip and meddling. Paul advises that they should remarry and manage their households to avoid such behavior.

The concept of περιεργάζομαι is tied to the broader biblical principle of living a disciplined and responsible life, focusing on one's own duties and avoiding unnecessary interference in the lives of others. This aligns with the biblical exhortation to live peaceably and to mind one's own affairs, as seen in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

Forms and Transliterations

περιεργαζομενους περιεργαζομένους periergazomenous periergazoménous

Englishman's Concordance

2 Thessalonians 3:11 V-PPM/P-AMP
GRK: ἐργαζομένους ἀλλὰ περιεργαζομένους
NAS: at all, but acting like busybodies.
KJV: not at all, but are busybodies.
INT: working but being busybodies

Strong's Greek 4020
1 Occurrence

περιεργαζομένους — 1 Occ.