BIBLE GREEK WORD STUDY
Peri (G4012) — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
περί (peri) is a versatile Greek preposition whose meaning shifts with its case: with the genitive it means 'concerning' or 'about,' and with the accusative it indicates place or extent.
Meaning of the word
περί is a preposition that takes its sense largely from the case that follows it. With the genitive, the most common construction in the New Testament, it means 'concerning,' 'about,' or 'of' — pointing to the topic, subject, or occasion of a statement. This is the sense found in phrases like 'to bear witness of him' or 'what sayest thou of thyself.'
With the accusative case, the preposition shifts toward place or extent: 'around,' 'about,' 'in the region of,' or 'with respect to.' The lexicon entry notes it can describe locality, circuit, matter, circumstance, or a general period of time. The basic spatial idea is 'all around' or 'all over,' from which the figurative uses are extended.
Because the word is functional rather than lexical, its meaning is shaped by context. Readers should look first at the case that governs περί, then at the verb or noun it modifies, in order to judge whether the force is topical ('about') or spatial-temporal ('around').
Usage in Scripture
In the Gospel of John, περί overwhelmingly appears with the genitive in the construction 'to bear witness of / about someone or something.' John the Baptist is said to witness 'of the light' (John 1:7-8, 1:15), the Pharisees ask John 'What sayest thou of thyself?' (John 1:22), and Jesus announces that the Spirit of truth 'shall bear witness of me' (John 15:26). The same construction carries over into theological speech in John 16:8-9, where the Spirit convicts the world 'in respect of sin.'
Outside John, περί retains its 'concerning' sense, as in John 3:25, where a dispute arises 'about purifying,' and Matthew 6:28, where Jesus asks why one is anxious 'concerning raiment.' Across the New Testament the 28 distinct occurrences cluster around testimony and teaching about a person or matter, with the spatial 'around' sense being less common.
The word in detail
- G4012 περί (peri). A preposition; with the genitive it means 'concerning/about' (the topic of discourse), and with the accusative it shifts toward 'around/about' in place, extent, or time. In the New Testament the genitive sense dominates, especially in the formulaic phrase 'to bear witness of/about.'
Example verses
- John 1:7 περί with the genitive introducing the topic of the Baptist's witness — 'to bear witness of the light.'
- John 1:22 Here περί marks the topic of self-description: 'What sayest thou of thyself?'
- John 15:26 The Spirit is said to 'bear witness of me' — περί again marks the person about whom testimony is given.
- John 16:8 περί introduces the matters on which the Spirit convicts the world: sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Common questions
Is περί a noun or a preposition?
It is a preposition. Its meaning depends on the case it governs: genitive for 'concerning/about' and accusative for spatial 'around' or extent.
Does περί always mean 'about'?
No. With the accusative case it can mean 'around' or 'in the region of,' indicating place or extent rather than topic.
Where does περί most often appear in the New Testament?
It frequently appears in the Gospel of John in the construction 'to bear witness of/about' someone, especially in reference to Christ and the light.