ἅλλομαι
hállomai
G242 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To jump or leap (with emphasis on an energetic or sudden upward or forward movement). In extended or figurative senses, to spring forth or gush, especially of liquids (such as water). The core meaning is physical leaping or bounding, but by extension may be used for sudden or forceful emergence.
Semantic Range
to jump, to leap, to spring (sudden motion), to break forth, to gush (of liquids or crowds), to spring up (of plants or inanimate objects)
Root / Etymology
Lexical root is ἅλλ-, related to verbs conveying the sense of leaping or springing. Cognate connection possibly to Latin 'salio' (to leap), though the origin is ultimately considered Indo-European and pre-Greek, with no certain derivation within Attic vocabulary. No productive verbal family in Koine Greek beyond this basic form.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἅλλομαι is an older verb attested in classical and epic Greek (including Homer), where it describes sudden upward motion: jumping, leaping, or even metaphorical leaps (such as of animals, people, or flames). The verb appears rarely in the Koine period, and infrequently in the Septuagint or New Testament (where other verbs like πηδάω may occur more often for 'jump'). In certain contexts, especially poetic or descriptive, ἅλλομαι conveys a vigorous, energetic motion distinct from more general terms for movement. In later Greek and in figurative expressions, it can describe the gushing forth of water (e.g., springs, fountains) or other matters that emerge quickly and forcefully. Standard English translations often render it as 'leap' or 'spring up,' sometimes missing the intensity and suddenness of the original. Related terms: πηδάω (to leap, spring), ἀναπηδάω (to leap up), but ἅλλομαι emphasizes the abruptness and force of the motion. There is no significant shift in religious or ethnic connotation associated with this verb.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
middle voice of apparently a primary verb; to jump; figuratively, to gush:--leap, spring up.
Root Family
ἅλλομαι (hallomai) — to leap, to jump, to spring
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G242-03 |
ἥλατο | elato | V AOR MID IND 3P SG |
he leaped | he sprang | 1 |
G242-01 |
ἁλλόμενος | allomenos | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG |
leaping | leaping | 1 |
G242-02 |
ἁλλομένου | allomenou | V PRS MID PTCP GEN N SG |
springing | of springing forth | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G242-02 |
John 4:14 | ἁλλομένου | allomenou | V PRS MID PTCP GEN N SG |
springing | of springing forth |
G242-01 |
Acts 3:8 | ἁλλόμενος | allomenos | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG |
leaping | leaping |
G242-03 |
Acts 14:10 | ἥλατο | elato | V AOR MID IND 3P SG |
he leaped | he sprang |