Lexical Summary pimpremi: To swell, to inflame Original Word: πίμπρημι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance swell up, burn with fever or passionA reduplicated and prolonged form of a primary preo preh'-o which occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses); to fire, i.e. Burn (figuratively and passively, become inflamed with fever) -- be (X should have) swollen. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4092: πιμπράωπιμπράω (for the more common πίμπρημι (cf. Curtius, § 378, Vanicek, p. 510f)): (present infinitive passive πίμπρασθαι; but R G L Tr WH πίμπρασθαι from the form πίμπρημι (Tdf. ἐμπίπρασθαι, which see)); in Greek writings from Homer ((yet only the aorist from πρήθω)) down; to blow, to burn (on the connection between these meanings cf. Ebeling, Lex. Homer, under the word πρήθω); in the Scriptures four times to cause to swell, to render tumid (cf. Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word): γαστέρα, Numbers 5:22; passive, to swell, become swollen, of parts of the body, Numbers 5:21, 27: Acts 28:6 (see above and in ἐμπιπράω). (Compare: ἐμπιπράω.) Topical Lexicon Context in Acts 28:6 The only New Testament occurrence of the term appears in the vivid account of Paul on Malta. After the viper fastened itself to his hand (Acts 28:3), the islanders “kept expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead” (Acts 28:6). Their expectation centers on the normal physiological result of venom: rapid inflammation and fatal collapse. Luke, a physician, records the detail with clinical precision, underscoring both the seriousness of the danger and the miraculous nature of Paul’s preservation. Medical and Cultural Background Classical writers often used this verb family for the burning or swelling that accompanies infection, fever, or snake bite. Ancient Mediterranean peoples knew that certain vipers produced intense edema and tissue necrosis within minutes. Island dwellers such as those on Malta interpreted such reactions as inescapable proof of divine retribution. Thus, when no swelling appeared in Paul’s body, their worldview was overturned, prompting them to proclaim him a god (Acts 28:6). Theological Significance 1. Vindication of Apostolic Mission Old Testament Parallels Numbers 21:6-9 recounts the plague of “fiery serpents,” so called because their bite produced a burning inflammation similar to what the Maltese expected in Paul. Both passages link serpent-induced swelling with divine judgment and deliverance—Moses lifted the bronze serpent for healing; Paul simply shakes off the viper, foreshadowing the ultimate victory of Christ who “became sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Lessons for Ministry Today • God’s servants are not immune to danger, yet their lives remain under His supervision until their work is finished (Philippians 1:24-25). Conclusion Strong’s Greek 4092 captures a moment when expected swelling never materialized. In that absence, the Lord displayed His faithfulness, authenticated His messenger, and advanced the gospel among a people previously unreached. What the islanders anticipated in the flesh became an opportunity for the Spirit to bring life, reminding every era that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted by disease, venom, or human misconception. Forms and Transliterations πιμπρασθαι πίμπρασθαι pimprasthai pímprasthaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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