"to lighten around, shine like lightning around, Acts 9:3; 22:6*"
Definition and meaning
to lighten around, shine like lightning around, Acts 9:3; 22:6*
In the original Greek the word is written: περιαστράπτω
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of periastrapto (G4015) across the King James Bible.
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
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Common questions
Strong's G4015 (periastrapto) is a Greek word that means: to lighten around, shine like lightning around, Acts 9:3; 22:6* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word periastrapto (G4015) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4015 is periastrapto, a Greek word defined as: to lighten around, shine like lightning around, Acts 9:3; 22:6*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
periastrapto is a Greek word found in the New Testament.