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G1704 · Greek · New Testament
ἐμπεριπατέω
emperipateo
Verb
walk among, live among, dwell in the midst of

Definition

Emperipateo means to walk about among or live in the midst of — the prefixes em (in) and peri (around) intensify the basic verb pateo (walk). It appears once in the NT (2 Corinthians 6:16) in a remarkable quotation where God promises to 'walk among' His people — evoking the garden of Eden and the wilderness tabernacle.

Usage & Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 6:16 quotes a composite of Leviticus 26:12, Ezekiel 37:27, and other OT texts: 'I will live with them and walk among them [emperipateso], and I will be their God, and they will be my people.' Paul uses this to ground the call to be 'separate' from idols — the presence of the living God in the community is the theological reason for holy living. The word carries the imagery of God walking in the garden with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8), the pillar of cloud moving through Israel's camp, and the glory filling the tabernacle. In Revelation 2:1, Christ 'walks among the seven golden lampstands' (churches) — emperipateo language that shows the risen Lord still walking among His people.

Key Bible Verses

2 Corinthians 6:16 For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them [emperipateso].'
Leviticus 26:12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.
Genesis 3:8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden.
Ezekiel 37:27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Revelation 2:1 These are the words of him who holds the seven stars... and walks among the seven golden lampstands.

Related Words

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