περισπάω

περισπάω fut. 3 sg. περισπάσει (Just.); aor. 3 sg. περιέσπασε 2 Km 6:6; impf. pass. 3 sg. περιεσπᾶτο (Eur., X. et al.; ins, pap, LXX, Joseph.; Just., D. 2, 4; s. Phryn. p. 415 Lob.); in our lit. only pass. The primary sense (‘draw off from around’ Isoc., Ep. 9, 10) is apparent in the foll.

① to be pulled away from a reference point, be pulled/ dragged away (the act. in Polyb., Diod S, Dionys. Hal., Plut. et al. The pass. Cebes 33, 3; PTebt 124, 39 [I B.C.] εἰς ἑτέρας λειτουργίας; Jos., Ant. 5, 46) περισπώμενος ὧδε κἀκεῖσε ἀπὸ τῶν πνευμάτων τῶν πονηρῶν Hm 5, 2, 7 (on the constr. w. ἀπό cp. Epict. 1, 8, 5). Closely related to it is mng.

② to have one’s attention directed from one thing to another, become or be distracted, quite busy, overburdened (Polyb. 4, 10, 3; Diod S 2, 29, 5; Epict. 3, 9, 19; Jos., Bell. 1, 232 al.; UPZ 59, 30 [168 B.C.]; PTebt 37, 15 [I B.C.]; POxy 743, 36 [I B.C.]) περί τι with or by someth. (Polyb. 3, 105, 1; Diod S 1, 74) περὶ πολλὴν διακονίαν Lk 10:40. περὶ τὸν πλοῦτον Hs 2:5. περὶ τὰς πραγματείας 4:5.—M-M.