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σκιρτάω

skirtáō

G4640 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To leap, spring, or skip—a physical movement involving a sudden, lively, or exuberant motion; by extension, to show exuberance or joy through such movement. In some contexts, especially with reference to unborn children or animals, denotes a spontaneous or involuntary leap, often as a response to excitement, joy, or another strong stimulus. May also take on a figurative sense, expressing an outburst or quickening of emotional response.

Semantic Range

to leap (physically), to skip, to spring, to jump (esp. as a sign of emotion or quickening), to leap for joy, to display exuberant motion, to move spontaneously (as a fetus)

Root / Etymology

From the root σκιρτ- (skirt-), which relates to movements such as leaping, skipping, or bounding. The word may be related to classical Greek σκίρτημα (skírtēma, a leap or bound) and οἰσκιρτάω (oiskirtáō, to start or leap), but the ultimate etymology is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

σκιρτάω is relatively rare in classical Greek, most commonly found in later, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek. In the Septuagint, the verb is used to render the Hebrew פָּזַז (pazaz, to leap or spring), especially when referring to animals (e.g., calves) and in poetic or emotive literary settings. In the New Testament, the most notable use is in Luke 1:41, 44, where the unborn John the Baptist 'leaps' in Elizabeth’s womb, a description of prenatal movement often regarded as a sign of joy or a prophetic stirring. The word thus conveys a vivid, bodily reaction to an emotional or spiritual stimulus rather than a routine physical action. English translations such as ‘leap for joy’ sometimes capture the exuberant emotional undertone, although the Greek itself focuses structurally on the physical act of leaping and its spontaneous quality. Related words include ἀλλομαι (allomai, to leap) and πηδάω (pēdáō, to spring), which may have broader, less specifically joyful semantic ranges.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

akin to (to skip); to jump, i.e. sympathetically move (as the quickening of a fetus):--leap (for joy).

Root Family

σκιρτ- (skirtáō) — to leap, to spring, to skip

Root σκιρτ- to leap, to spring, to skip

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4640-01 ἐσκίρτησεν eskirtesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG leaped he/she/it leaped leaped 2
G4640-02 σκιρτήσατε skirtesate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL leap for joy Leap up! Leap up 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4640-01 Luke 1:41 ἐσκίρτησεν eskirtesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG leaped he/she/it leaped leaped
G4640-01 Luke 1:44 ἐσκίρτησεν eskirtesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG leaped he/she/it leaped leaped
G4640-02 Luke 6:23 σκιρτήσατε skirtesate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL leap for joy Leap up! Leap up
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