Original Word: περιαιρέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: periaireó
Pronunciation: pe-ri-ah-REH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee-ahee-reh'-o)
KJV: take away (up)
NASB: abandoned, casting off, take away, taken away
Word Origin: [from G4012 (περί - about) and G138 (αἱρέομαι - choose) (including its alternate)]

1. to remove all around, i.e. unveil, cast off (anchor)
2. (figuratively) to expiate

to cast off, take away

From peri and haireomai (including its alternate); to remove all around, i.e. Unveil, cast off (anchor); figuratively, to expiate -- take away (up).

see GREEK peri

see GREEK haireomai

4014 periairéō (from 4012 /perí, "all-around, encompassing" and 138 /hairéomai, "to take, separate") – properly, completely separate, remove totally (inclusively, comprehensively); leave behind entirely (in "all directions"; note the prefix, peri).

Word Origin
from peri and haireó
Definition
to take away (that which surrounds)
NASB Translation
abandoned (1), casting off (1), take away (1), taken away (1).

STRONGS NT 4014: περιαιρέω

περιαιρέω, περιαίρω: 2 aorist infinitive περιελεῖν (participle plural περιελόντες; passive, present 3 person singular περιαιρεῖται); imperfect 3 person singular περιῃρεῖτο; from Homer down; the Sept. chiefly for הֵסִיר;

a. to take away that which surrounds or envelops a thing (cf. περί, III. 1): τό κάλυμμα, passive, 2 Corinthians 3:16 (πορφύραν, 2 Macc. 4:38; τόν δακτύλιον, Genesis 41:42; Josephus, Antiquities 19, 2, 3); ἀγκύρας, the anchors from both sides of the ship (R. V. casting off), Acts 27:40; (2 aorist participle, absolutely, in a nautical sense, to cast loose, Acts 28:13 WH (others περιελθόντες)).

b. metaphorically, to take away altogether or entirely: τάς ἁμαρτίας (with which one is, as it were, enveloped), the guilt of sin, i. e. to expiate perfectly, Hebrews 10:11; τήν ἐλπίδα, passive, Acts 27:20.

STRONGS NT 4014a: περιάπτωπεριάπτω: 1 aorist participle περιαψας; (from Pindar down);

1. to bind or tie around, to put around (περί, III. 1); to hang upon, attach to.

2. to kindle a fire around (or thoroughly; see περικρύπτω, περικαλύπτω, περικρατής, περίλυπος, etc.) (Phalaris, epistle 5, p. 28): Luke 22:55 T WH Tr text

Overview

The verb behind Strong’s 4014 conveys the act of removing something that hinders, whether physical (anchors, a veil) or abstract (hope, sin). In the few New Testament occurrences the Spirit-inspired writers use the word to illuminate both practical events and profound theological truths, demonstrating God’s power to strip away whatever obstructs His saving purposes.

Usage within Luke’s Sea-Voyage Narrative (Acts 27–28)

1. Acts 27:40: “Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea.” When the sailors “cut loose” the anchors they literally freed the vessel from what held it fast, illustrating decisive action under Paul’s God-given counsel.
2. Acts 28:13: After wintering at Malta, Luke records that “from there we set sail,” the Greek again stressing the removal of anchors. The church’s earliest missionary band could proceed only after obstacles were released.
3. Acts 27:20: During the same storm Luke laments that “we finally abandoned all hope of being saved.” The figurative use shows hope being stripped away by relentless circumstances—until the Lord restores it through Paul’s prophetic assurance (Acts 27:23–25).

These nautical scenes underscore divine sovereignty in the midst of crisis: human safety, direction, and progress require God’s intervention to remove hindrances.

Removal of the Veil (2 Corinthians 3:16)

“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” Paul applies the word to the spiritual blindness that lay upon Israel when Moses descended from Sinai (Exodus 34:33–35). Conversion to the risen Christ instantaneously lifts that covering. The term therefore highlights:
• The sufficiency of grace—no human effort can pull off the veil.
• The permanence of the new covenant—once removed, the veil never returns.
• The universality of the offer—“anyone” who turns receives unveiled access.

Inadequacy of Levitical Sacrifices (Hebrews 10:11)

“Day after day every priest stands … which can never take away sins.” Here the writer contrasts endless animal offerings with the once-for-all efficacy of Jesus’ blood (Hebrews 10:12). The verb emphasizes that old-covenant rituals could not uproot guilt. Only the cross truly removes sin’s offense before God, fulfilling David’s plea, “Blot out my transgressions” (Psalm 51:1).

Theological Themes

1. Divine Initiative: In every context God is the one who ultimately removes the hindrance—be it veil, sin, or nautical restraint.
2. Freedom for Mission: Physical anchors cut away lead directly to continued gospel advance toward Rome; spiritual anchors removed lead to unveiled communion and bold ministry (2 Corinthians 3:17).
3. Assurance amid Trial: Even when hope seems “taken away” (Acts 27:20), the narrative quickly shows God restoring it. What He permits to be stripped He is able to renew.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Evangelism: Call hearers to “turn to the Lord” so that the veil may be lifted.
• Discipleship: Encourage believers to lay aside lingering encumbrances (Hebrews 12:1), trusting Christ’s power to remove them.
• Pastoral Care: Remind saints in crisis that apparent loss of hope is not final; the God who commands the seas can cut away fear and bring them safely to shore.

Connection to Old Testament Imagery

The Exodus veil motif (Exodus 34) and the Levitical sacrifices (Leviticus 1–7) both anticipate the Messiah who would remove barriers to God’s presence. By employing the same verb the New Testament writers show seamless continuity: the God who once veiled His glory now, through Christ, removes every obstruction and invites His people into unveiled fellowship.

Summary

Strong’s 4014 paints a unified biblical picture: God strips away anchors that stall the mission, veils that cloud the heart, and sins that condemn the soul. Each occurrence points to the greater removal accomplished at Calvary and worked out daily by the Spirit, ensuring that nothing can prevent His saving plan from reaching its destination.

περιαιρεθήσεται περιαιρεθήσονται περιαιρειται περιαιρείται περιαιρεῖται περιείλαντο περιείλατο περιείλε περιείλεν περιείλετο περιείλον περίελε περιελεί περιελειν περιελείν περιελεῖν περιελείς περιέλεσθε περιελέτω περιέλη περιέλης περιελομένη περιελόμενος περιελοντες περιελόντες περιελού περιελώ περιελών περιηργυρωμένα περιηργυρωμέναι περιηργυρωμένοι περιηρειτο περιηρείτο περιῃρεῖτο periaireitai periaireîtai perieireîto periēireîto perielein perieleîn perielontes perielóntes periereito periēreitoInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts