Lexicon periergos: Busybody, meddlesome, curious about trifles Original Word: περίεργος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance meddlesome, belonging to magicFrom peri and ergon; working all around, i.e. Officious (meddlesome, neuter plural magic) -- busybody, curious arts. see GREEK peri see GREEK ergon HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4021 períergos (an adjective, derived from 4012 /perí, "all around" and 2041 /érgon, "work") – properly, worked all-around, which describes "over-doing" – i.e. spending excessive time (effort) where it doesn't belong (or should not happen). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peri and ergon Definition overly careful, curious, meddling, subst. a busybody NASB Translation busybodies (1), magic (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4021: περίεργοςπερίεργος, περιεργον (περί and ἔργον; see περί, III. 2), busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters, especially busy about other folks' affairs, a busybody: 1 Timothy 5:13 (often so in secular authors from Xenophon, mem. 1, 3, 1; περιεργων καί πολυπράγμων, Epictetus diss. 3, 1, 21); of things: τά περίεργα, impertinent and superfluous, of magic (A. V., curious) arts, Acts 19:19 (so περίεργος practising magic, Aristaen., epistles 2, 18, 2 (cf. Plutarch, Alex. 2, 5)); cf. Kypke, Observations, and Kuinoel, commentary at the passage. Topical Lexicon Word Origin: Derived from the Greek words "περί" (peri, meaning "around" or "about") and "ἔργον" (ergon, meaning "work" or "deed").Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "περίεργος," the concept of meddling or being a busybody can be related to Hebrew terms that describe similar behaviors, such as "רָכִיל" (rakil, meaning "slanderer" or "gossip") found in Proverbs 11:13, which warns against spreading rumors and engaging in idle talk. Usage: The word "περίεργος" is used in the New Testament to describe individuals who engage in unnecessary or inappropriate meddling. It appears in contexts where such behavior is discouraged, emphasizing the importance of minding one's own business and focusing on one's responsibilities. Context: The term "περίεργος" is found in the New Testament, specifically in the context of early Christian communities where maintaining order and focus on spiritual growth was essential. In 1 Timothy 5:13, the Apostle Paul warns against young widows becoming "idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, speaking things they should not." Here, "περίεργος" is translated as "busybodies," highlighting the disruptive nature of such behavior within the community. Forms and Transliterations περιεργα περίεργα περιεργοι περίεργοι perierga períerga periergoi períergoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 19:19 Adj-ANPGRK: τῶν τὰ περίεργα πραξάντων συνενέγκαντες NAS: who practiced magic brought KJV: which used curious arts brought INT: of those who the magic arts had practiced having brought 1 Timothy 5:13 Adj-NMP Strong's Greek 4021 |