Lexical Summary perilampó: To shine around, to illuminate Original Word: περιλάμπω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance shine aroundFrom peri and lampo; to illuminate all around, i.e. Invest with a halo -- shine round about. see GREEK peri see GREEK lampo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peri and lampó Definition to shine around NASB Translation shining...around (1), shone around (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4034: περιλάμπωπεριλάμπω: 1 aorist περιελαμψα; to shine around: τινα, Luke 2:9; Acts 26:13. (Diodorus, Josephus, Plutarch, others.) Topical Lexicon Usage in the New Testament The verb carries the idea of light that encircles or envelops. Luke, the only New Testament writer who employs the term, places it in two pivotal moments where divine revelation breaks into human history. Luke 2:9 — Announcement to the Shepherds “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” (Luke 2:9) Acts 26:13 — Paul’s Testimony before Agrippa “About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions.” (Acts 26:13) Lucan Motif of Revelatory Light Luke consistently links divine light with decisive moments in salvation history: angelic announcements (Luke 1:11; 2:9), the Transfiguration (Luke 9:29), and Paul’s conversion (Acts 9:3; 26:13). The enveloping brilliance serves as an external sign of the inbreaking kingdom of God and the authority of the gospel message. Old Testament Background • Exodus 24:16–17; 34:29–35 — the shining glory associated with Sinai and Moses’ face. These earlier manifestations prepare readers for the New Testament fulfillment in the Messiah and the apostolic witness. Christological Significance In both occurrences the surrounding radiance points to Jesus Christ: at His birth it heralds His incarnation; in Paul’s vision it confirms His resurrection and exaltation. The same glory that dwelt in the tabernacle now surrounds both the lowly and the learned, affirming that salvation is offered universally. Apostolic and Missional Implications The shepherds become first evangelists of the nativity; Paul becomes chief apostle to the Gentiles. The enveloping light functions as divine commissioning, empowering recipients to bear witness. Ministry today similarly depends on God’s initiating revelation that turns ordinary people into bold messengers. Pastoral Application 1. Expectation of Divine Initiative — God still pierces darkness with His light, drawing people to Christ. Eschatological Foreshadowing The surrounding brilliance anticipates the consummate reality in which “the city has no need of sun or of moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light” (Revelation 21:23). Each New Testament use of the verb offers a preview of that eternal, all-encompassing radiance. Summary Strong’s Greek 4034 appears sparingly yet strategically, enveloping key figures in divine light to authenticate revelation, inaugurate redemptive epochs, and propel God’s servants into mission. The rarity of the word underscores the uniqueness of the moments it describes, reminding believers that the same God who once surrounded shepherds and apostles with glory still illumines hearts and advances His gospel today. Forms and Transliterations περιελαμψεν περιέλαμψεν περιλαμψαν περιλάμψαν perielampsen periélampsen perilampsan perilámpsanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 2:9 V-AIA-3SGRK: δόξα Κυρίου περιέλαμψεν αὐτούς καὶ NAS: of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly KJV: of the Lord shone round about them: INT: [the] glory of [the] Lord shone around them and Acts 26:13 V-APA-ANS Strong's Greek 4034 |
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