Bible Dictionary
Circuit
Circuit means a going around or surrounding route. Scripture uses it for the sun’s apparent course, the vault of heaven, the movement of winds, and the journeys of people such as Samuel.
Definition
Circuit means a going around or encircling movement. In biblical usage it can describe the apparent course of the sun, the vault or arch of heaven, the circulation of winds, a journey through communities, or a route taken by travelers and armies.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses circuit for the sun’s course, the vault of heaven, and the movement of winds. Samuel made a circuit in visiting communities; the term also describes journeys or movements made by going around.
Historical Background
The biblical term represents several Hebrew words and the Greek word perielthontes. In some passages the Revised Version expresses the idea as “to make a circuit,” while a marginal reading gives “cast loose” in Acts 28:13.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The apparent diurnal revolution of the sun round the earth (Ps. 19:6), and the changes of the wind (Eccl. 1:6). In Job 22:14, “in the circuit of heaven” (R.V. marg., “on the vault of heaven”) means the “arch of heaven,” which seems to be bent over our heads.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>sur'-kit, "a going around": Used to represent several Hebrew words in several senses, e.g. the sun's orbit (tequphah), Ps 19:6; the vault of the heavens (chugh), Job 22:14 the King James Version; the circuit of the winds (cabhibh), Ec 1:6 (see ASTRONOMY); Samuel's visiting of communities (cabhabh), 1Sa 7:16. In the Revised Version (British and American) the idea of encircling or "fetching a compass" (the King James Version) is expressed by the phrase "to make a circuit" (hacebh), 2Sa 5:23; 2Ki 3:9; and in the Revised Version, margin it indicates a plain (ha-kikkar), Ne 3:22. The Greek perielthontes is translated in the same way (Ac 28:13), but the Revised Version, margin reads "cast loose," following the Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek reading perielontes.</p><p>Nathan Isaacs</p>