"to leap, Lk. 1:41, 44; to leap, skip, bound for joy, Lk. 6:23*"
Definition and meaning
to leap, Lk. 1:41, 44; to leap, skip, bound for joy, Lk. 6:23*
In the original Greek the word is written: σκιρτάω
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of skirtao (G4640) across the King James Bible.
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
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Common questions
Strong's G4640 (skirtao) is a Greek word that means: to leap, Lk. 1:41, 44; to leap, skip, bound for joy, Lk. 6:23* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word skirtao (G4640) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4640 is skirtao, a Greek word defined as: to leap, Lk. 1:41, 44; to leap, skip, bound for joy, Lk. 6:23*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
skirtao is a Greek word found in the New Testament.