Lexical Summary peritithémi: To place around, to put on, to clothe, to bestow Original Word: περιτίθημι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to place aroundFrom peri and tithemi; to place around; by implication, to present -- bestow upon, hedge round about, put about (on, upon), set about. see GREEK peri see GREEK tithemi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peri and tithémi Definition to place around NASB Translation bestow (1), put (5), put...around (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4060: περιτίθημιπεριτίθημι, 3 person plural περιτιθέασιν (Mark 15:17; see references in ἐπιτίθημι); 1 aorist περιέθηκα; 2 aorist participle περιθείς, περιθέντες; from Homer down; a. properly, to place around, set about, (cf. περί, III. 1): τίνι τί, as φραγμόν τῷ ἀμπελῶνι, Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1; to put a garment on one, Matthew 27:28; στέφανον, put on (encircle one's head with) a crown, Mark 15:17 (Sir. 6:31; Plato, Alcib. 2, p. 151 a.); τί τίνι, to put or bind one thing around another, Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; John 19:29. b. tropically, τίνι τί, to present, bestow, confer, a thing upon one (so in classical Greek from Herodotus down, as ἐλευθερίαν, Herodotus 3, 142; δόξαν, Demosthenes, p. 1417, 3; see Passow, ii, p. 881f; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, II.); τό ὄνομα, Wis. 14:21; Thucydides 4, 87): τιμήν, 1 Corinthians 12:23; Esther 1:20. Biblical Usage Overview The verb depicts an intentional act of placing something around, on, or before another object or person. Across the eight New Testament occurrences it ranges from constructive care (a wall round a vineyard), to the mock adornment of Christ, to the honoring or provisioning of others. The contexts form a unified portrait of purposeful “enclosure” — whether for protection, humiliation, refreshment, or esteem. Parabolic Imagery: The Hedged Vineyard (Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1) In the Parable of the Vineyard, “He put a wall around it” (Matthew 21:33). The wall embodies covenant protection. Israel, like the vineyard, was enclosed by divine law, prophets, and sacrificial system so that it might bear fruit for its Owner. The Lord’s careful “putting around” heralds His patience and rightful expectation of a harvest, while also warning of judgment when stewardship fails. Passion Narratives: Mock Adornment of the King (Matthew 27:28; Mark 15:17) Roman soldiers “put a scarlet robe on Him” (Matthew 27:28) and “set it on Him” a crown of thorns (Mark 15:17). The verb highlights a deliberate staging of false coronation. Ironically, their derision proclaims what they deny: Jesus is truly King. This mock enthronement fulfills prophetic pictures of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 50–53) and forecasts the exalted enthronement that follows His resurrection. The same verb reminds believers that God can transform human scorn into redemptive glory. The Offered Sponge: Provision amid Suffering (Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; John 19:29) As Messiah nears death, a bystander “put it on a reed” (Matthew 27:48) and lifts sour wine to His lips. The wording recalls Psalm 69:21, “they gave me vinegar to drink,” and shows Scripture’s precise fulfillment. The act also pictures human inadequacy; a momentary relief that nevertheless points to the cup of wrath Christ alone can exhaust on behalf of sinners. Ecclesiological Application: Clothing the Less Presentable (1 Corinthians 12:23) Paul says, “the parts that we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor” (1 Corinthians 12:23). Here the verb moves from material action to relational ministry: the church “puts around” greater esteem upon overlooked members. The result is unity without uniformity, mirroring Christ’s own regard for the lowly. Congregations are thus called to surround every believer with practical honor, guarding against divisions rooted in gifting, status, or visibility. Theological Themes 1. Protection and Provision: Whether a wall encircling a vineyard or garments placed on the body, God graciously surrounds His people. Ministry Implications • Shepherds are to erect protective “hedges” of sound doctrine and discipline, ensuring the vineyard yields fruit for the Master. Intertextual Echoes The Septuagint often employs the same verb for vesting priests (Exodus 29:5) and encircling city walls (Joshua 6:3–4), underscoring themes of consecration and defense that reappear in the New Testament. Such continuity underlines the single storyline of redemption, from covenant people enclosed by law to the church surrounded by grace in Christ. Summary περιτίθημι conveys more than the simple motion of placing; it pictures purposeful surrounding for God’s redemptive ends. Whether constructing a vineyard wall, clothing the mocked Savior, lifting a sponge to parched lips, or bestowing honor on unseen saints, every occurrence invites believers to trust the Lord who faithfully “puts around” His people all that is required for protection, salvation, and mutual edification. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 21:33 V-AIA-3SGRK: φραγμὸν αὐτῷ περιέθηκεν καὶ ὤρυξεν NAS: A VINEYARD AND PUT A WALL KJV: hedged it round about, and digged INT: a fence it placed around and dug Matthew 27:28 V-AIA-3P Matthew 27:48 V-APA-NMS Mark 12:1 V-AIA-3S Mark 15:17 V-PIA-3S Mark 15:36 V-APA-NMS John 19:29 V-APA-NMP 1 Corinthians 12:23 V-PIA-1P Strong's Greek 4060 |
    |