Lexical Definition

‎περιέχω‎ periéchō (per-ee-ekh'-o) to contain ^G:V
from ‎περί‎ and ‎ἔχω‎

+ astonished, contain, after (this manner).

• to hold all around, i.e. include, clasp (figuratively)

Abbott-Smith

περι-έχω, [in LXX for אפף, נקף hi., צפה pi., etc.;]
1. to surround, encompass: Lk 5:9 (cf. MM, xix).
2. to comprehend, include, contain, esp. of books: c. acc., Ac 23:25, Rec.; acc. to a late usage, intrans. (Bl., § 53, 13; MM, xix; Hort, in l.), it stands written, I Pe 2:6.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

περιέχω,

also περιεργ-ίσχω, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; Aeolic dialect περρέχω [Refs 7th c.BC+]future περιέξω (and περισχήσω [Refs 5th c.BC+]aorist περιέσχον, infinitive περισχεῖν: aorist middle περιεσχόμην, infinitive περισχέσθαι:—encompass, embrace, surround, κυκλόθεν ὁδὸς π. [τὸ χωρίον] [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τὸ περιέχον the envelope of a seed, [Refs 4th c.BC+]

__b especially of that which encompasses the earth or the universe, τὸν κόσμον πνεῦμα καὶ ἀὴρ π[Refs 5th c.BC+]; τὸ περιέχον the environment, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; ὁ περιέχων ἀήρ ἠήρ) [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὁ περιέχων alone, [Refs]; but usually τὸ περιέχον, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τὸ ἄπειρον καὶ τὸ π. [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__c τὸ π. the atmosphere, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; δυσκρασίαι τοῦ π. [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__2 embrace, τινὰ ταῖς χερσίν Id [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__3 surround so as to guard, [Refs 1st c.AD+]:—but, passive, to be shut in, beleaguered, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; πανταχόθεν[Refs 5th c.BC+]: metaphorically, to be hard pressed, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__4 embrace, comprise, comprehend, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; contain, βίβλος π. τὰς πράξεις [Refs 4th c.BC+]; of a letter, [Refs 1st c.AD+], followed by a quotation, [NT]; καθὼς ἡ ὠνὴ π. as is contained in the deed of sale, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__4.b in Logic, τὸ περιέχον universal, opposed to τὰ περιεχόμενα, the individuals or particulars, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; ὀνόματα περιέχοντα generic terms, [Refs]; καλοῦσι δ᾽ αὐτοὺς πλάτακας ἀπὸ τοῦ περιέχοντος from the generic name, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__5 in Mathematics texts, ὁ ὑπὸ δύο ἀριθμῶν περιεχόμενος [ἀριθμός] the product of two numbers, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; but π. ἑαυτόν, of a number of which a higher power terminates in the same digit, [Refs]
__6 τὸν ἔλεγχον π. to be involved in, open to criticism, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II surpass, excel, πάντα περρέχοισ᾽ ἄστρα, of the moon, [Refs 7th c.BC+]; overcome, gain the victory or advantage, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.2 outflank the enemy, [Refs]
__III middle, hold one's hands round or over another: hence, protect, defend, with genitive person, περίσχεο (Ionic dialect imperative aorist 2 middle) παιδὸς ἐῆος [Refs 8th c.BC+]
__III.2 hold fast by, cling to, with genitive, γούνων περισχομένη [Refs 3rd c.BC+]: hence, cleave to, be fond of a person or thing, γενσάμενοι τῶν ἡμετέρων ἀγαθῶν περιέξονται [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τὠυτοῦ περιεχόμεθα we are compassing, aiming at the same end, [Refs 1st c.AD+]; κρίσιν.. ἧς μᾶλλον περιέχομαι on which I place more reliance, [Refs 4th c.AD+]
__III.3 rarely with infinitive, περιείχετο.. μένοντας μὴ ἐκλιπεῖν τὴν τάξιν clung to his resolution that they should stay and not leave their post, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__IV Aeolic dialect περρέχω, ={ὑπερέχω}, ὁπόσον τῷ ποδὶ περρέχει τᾶς γᾶς, τοῦτο χάρις, i.e. every inch of his stature is grace, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: 1Pet.2.6}