Strong's Lexicon periistémi: To stand around, to avoid, to shun, to turn away from Original Word: περιίστημι Word Origin: From the Greek preposition "περί" (peri, meaning "around") and the verb "ἵστημι" (histemi, meaning "to stand" or "to place"). Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "periistémi," the concept of avoiding or shunning can be related to Hebrew terms like "סוּר" (sur, meaning "to turn aside" or "to depart") and "נָדַח" (nadach, meaning "to drive away" or "to banish"). Usage: The verb "periistémi" is used in the New Testament to convey the idea of standing around something or someone, often with the implication of avoiding or shunning. It can also mean to turn away from or to avoid engaging with something or someone. This term is used in contexts where there is a deliberate choice to distance oneself from a particular situation or influence. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, social and religious practices often involved physical and metaphorical distancing. The concept of "standing around" or avoiding certain people or practices was common, especially in maintaining ritual purity or social status. The early Christian community, navigating a complex cultural landscape, would have understood the implications of "periistémi" in terms of both physical and spiritual separation. HELPS Word-studies 4026 periístēmi (from 4012 /perí, "encompassing" and 2476 /hístēmi, "stand") – properly, stand all-around; "originally, 'to place round; to stand round.' It is in the Greek middle voice which means 'to turn oneself about,' as for the purpose of avoiding something: hence, 'avoid, shun' " (WS, 1059). In 2 Tim 2:16 and Tit 3:9, 4026 /periístēmi ("block out") means to position oneself in a way that completely avoids contact. [4026 (periístēmi) in 2 Tim 2:16 and Tit 3:9 is in the Greek middle voice ("to turn one's self about"). That is, to personally avoid (shun) by "standing far away from" (keeping a wide berth).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peri and histémi Definition to stand around, turn around (to avoid) NASB Translation avoid (2), standing around (1), stood around (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4026: περιΐστημιπεριΐστημι: 2 aorist περιεστην; perfect participle περιεστώς; present middle imperative 2 person singular περιΐστασο (on which form see Winers Grammar, § 14, 1 e.; (Buttmann, 47 (40), who both call it passive (but see Veitch, p. 340))); 1. in the present, imperfect, future, 1 aorist, active, to place around (one). 2. in the perfect, pluperfect, 2 aorist active, and the tenses of the middle, to stand around: John 11:42; Acts 25:7 (in L T Tr WH with an accusative; cf. Winers Grammar, § 52, 4, 12). Middle to turn oneself about namely, for the purpose of avoiding something, hence, to avoid, shun (Josephus, Antiquities 4, 6, 12; 10, 10, 4; b. j. 2, 8, 6; Antoninus 3,4; Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 4, 59; Athen. 15, p. 675 e.; (Diogenes Laërtius 9, 14; Jamblichus, vit. Pythagoras 31 (p. 392, Kiessl. edition); Sextus Empiricus; joined with φεύγειν, Josephus, Antiquities 1, 1, 4; with ἐκτρέπεσθαι, Lucian, Hermot. § 86; Hesychius περιΐστασο. Ἀποφευγε, ἀνατρεπε; (cf. furher, D'Orville's Chariton, Reiske edition, p. 282); this use of the verb is censured by Lucian, soloec. 5): in the N. T. so with an accusative of the thing (cf. Winer's Grammar, the passage cited), 2 Timothy 2:16; Titus 3:9. From peri and histemi; to stand all around, i.e. (near) to be a bystander, or (aloof) to keep away from -- avoid, shun, stand by (round about). see GREEK peri see GREEK histemi Englishman's Concordance John 11:42 V-RPA-AMSGRK: ὄχλον τὸν περιεστῶτα εἶπον ἵνα NAS: of the people standing around I said KJV: which stand by I said INT: crowd who stand around I said [it] that Acts 25:7 V-AIA-3P 2 Timothy 2:16 V-PMM-2S Titus 3:9 V-PMM-2S Strong's Greek 4026 |