"to cut around; to circumcise, remove the prepuce, Lk. 1:59; 2:21; met. Col. 2:11; mid. to submit to circumcision, Acts 15:1"
Definition and meaning
to cut around; to circumcise, remove the prepuce, Lk. 1:59; 2:21; met. Col. 2:11; mid. to submit to circumcision, Acts 15:1
In the original Greek the word is written: περιτέμνω
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
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 peritemno (G4059) across the King James Bible.
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision;(not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G4059 (peritemno) is a Greek word that means: to cut around; to circumcise, remove the prepuce, Lk. 1:59; 2:21; met. Col. 2:11; mid. to submit to circumcision, Acts 15:1 It appears 16 times in the King James Bible.
The word peritemno (G4059) appears 16 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4059 is peritemno, a Greek word defined as: to cut around; to circumcise, remove the prepuce, Lk. 1:59; 2:21; met. Col. 2:11; mid. to submit to circumcision, Acts 15:1. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
peritemno is a Greek word found in the New Testament.