ἐμπερι-πᾰτέω G1704
to walk among, dwell among; to move about within a community, living in close fellowship
This compound verb means to walk about among or dwell among people. In 2 Corinthians 6:16, Paul quotes the Old Testament promise: "I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God." The verb emphasizes God's active, personal presence among His people—not distant but moving among them in intimate fellowship. Classical usage includes walking to and fro at a gathering. Paul applies this to the church as God's temple: the Spirit dwells and walks among believers.
Senses
1. sense 1 — To walk or dwell among, indicating active presence and fellowship within a community. In 2 Corinthians 6:16, Paul cites God's promise to walk among His people as their God. The verb conveys not static residence but dynamic presence—God moving among His people, involved in their lives. For the church, this means the Holy Spirit actively dwells in the believing community, making them God's living temple. 1×
AR["أَمشي"]·ben["আমি-মধ্যে-চলব;"]·DE["wandeln-in"]·EN["I-will-walk-among"]·FR["marcher-dans"]·heb["אֶתְהַלֵּךְ"]·HI["चलूंगा"]·ID["Aku-akan-berjalan"]·IT["camminare-fra"]·jav["Kawula-badha-lumampah;"]·KO["다니리라"]·PT["andarei-entre-eles"]·RU["буду-ходить"]·ES["andaré-entre"]·SW["nitatembea-kati-yao;"]·TR["içinde yürüyeceğim"]·urd["چلوں-گا"]
Related Senses
H3212 1. go, depart, travel (884×)H1980 1. to go, travel (Qal) (283×)G4198 1. go, proceed (physical movement) (139×)H1980 2. to walk in conduct (Qal) (132×)G0565 1. go away, depart physically (112×)H3212 2. walk in, follow a way (79×)G5217 1. go, proceed (78×)H1980 3. to walk about, traverse (Hitpael) (63×)H5162 1. comfort, console (Piel) (51×)G4043 1. conduct oneself, live (48×)G4043 2. walk physically (47×)H5162 2. relent, repent, change mind (Nifal) (35×)G3340 1. repent, change one's mind (34×)H1980 4. to walk habitually (Piel) (30×)H4546 1. highway, raised road (25×)H5637 1. be stubborn, rebellious (17×)G0391 1. conduct, way of life, behavior (13×)H3212 4. lead, bring, cause to go (13×)G1485 1. custom, habit, established practice (12×)H5162 3. be comforted, receive comfort (Nifal) (10×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐμπερι-πᾰτέω, walk about in, [ἐμβάταις] Refs 1st c.AD+; ἐ. ἐν ὑμῖν tarry among you, LXX+NT: absolutely, walk about, ἅμα τῷ συμποσίῳ Refs 2nd c.AD+ walk several times to and fro, Refs 3rd c.AD+ __II walk about upon, τὴν ὑπ᾽ οὐρανόν (i.e. γῆν) LXX; trample on, Refs: metaphorically, insult, τινί Refs 1st c.AD+