from ἐκ and κολυμβάω; to escape by swimming:--swim out.
Transliteration:ekkolymbáō
Pronunciation:ek-kol-oom-bah'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ekkolymbáō (`{{G1579}}`) is a compound verb formed from the preposition ek (`{{G1537}}`), meaning "out of" or "from," and the verb kolymbáō (`{{G2863}}`), meaning "to swim." This etymological breakdown directly informs its core meaning: "to swim out," "to swim away from," or "to swim to safety." The prefix ek adds a crucial nuance of emergence, departure, or completion, indicating not just the act of swimming, but specifically the successful achievement of getting *out of* a watery predicament. Therefore, its semantic range is quite narrow, focusing on the act of escaping or reaching a destination by means of swimming, particularly from a place of danger.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ekkolymbáō (`{{G1579}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts.
In [[Acts 27:43]], we read: "But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and he commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first and *swim to land*." (Greek: τοὺς δυναμένους κολυμβᾶν, ἀπορρίψαντας πρώτους, ἐκκολυμβήσαντας ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐκπεσεῖν).
The context is a dramatic shipwreck during Paul's voyage to Rome. The ship is breaking apart, and the soldiers intend to kill the prisoners to prevent their escape. However, the centurion Julius, who had shown kindness to Paul, intervenes. His command for those who could ekkolymbáō – "swim out" or "swim to land" – to go first highlights several critical aspects:
* **Extreme Peril:** The situation is one of immediate life-and-death danger.
* **Specific Skill:** It requires the ability to swim, distinguishing those who could attempt this means of escape from those who could not.
* **Goal-Oriented Action:** The explicit goal is "to land" (ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν), signifying a movement from the chaotic, life-threatening sea to the safety of solid ground.
* **Means of Deliverance:** The word describes a practical, physical action taken to achieve survival. It underscores human effort and capability as a means of escaping a dire situation.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **kolymbáō (`{{G2863}}`):** The base verb meaning "to swim." ekkolymbáō specifies the direction and outcome of the swimming action (out of, to safety).
* **ek (`{{G1537}}`):** The preposition "out of," "from." This prefix is vital to the meaning of ekkolymbáō, emphasizing separation from a previous state or location, often implying completion or success in the action. Many Greek verbs use ek to denote emergence, departure, or escape.
* **Deliverance and Escape:** The core concept conveyed by ekkolymbáō is one of escape and deliverance from danger. Other related concepts include sōzō (`{{G4982}}`, to save, rescue) or apallássō (`{{G525}}`, to set free, deliver), though ekkolymbáō specifies the *method* of deliverance in this aquatic context.
* **Survival:** The word is intrinsically linked to the theme of survival against overwhelming odds, a common motif in shipwreck narratives throughout history and literature.
* **Human Agency:** While the broader narrative of Acts 27 emphasizes divine providence, ekkolymbáō focuses on the human skill and physical effort necessary for survival in the immediate moment.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of ekkolymbáō (`{{G1579}}`) in the New Testament, within the narrative of Acts 27, offers subtle but significant theological insights.
* **Divine Providence and Human Means:** The most prominent theological implication is the interplay between God's sovereign providence and human action. Paul had received a divine assurance that no lives would be lost ([[Acts 27:23-24]]). The command for those who could ekkolymbáō to shore, followed by others clinging to planks and debris, illustrates how God's promise of preservation is fulfilled not always through overt miracles, but often *through* natural means, human ingenuity, and existing abilities. The ability to ekkolymbáō was a practical skill that became instrumental in the unfolding of God's salvific plan for those on board. It demonstrates that God often works *with* and *through* human agency, rather than always bypassing it.
* **God's Deliverance in Practicality:** The word underscores that God's salvation is not always abstract or purely spiritual; it can manifest in concrete, practical ways that involve physical effort and skill. The deliverance from the shipwreck was a tangible, physical salvation, and ekkolymbáō describes a key component of that physical rescue.
* **Hope in Desperation:** Even in a seemingly hopeless situation (a sinking ship in a storm), the call to ekkolymbáō represents a call to action and a pathway to hope, enabled by divine favor (through the centurion's decision).
### Summary
Ekkolymbáō (`{{G1579}}`) is a precise Greek verb meaning "to swim out" or "to swim to land." Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Acts 27:43]] depicts a critical moment during a shipwreck where those with the ability to swim are commanded to escape to shore. This word underscores the physical effort and skill involved in navigating a perilous aquatic situation to safety. Theologically, ekkolymbáō serves as a compelling example of how God's divine providence operates through natural means and human capabilities, demonstrating that God's promised deliverance often unfolds through practical, human actions, even in the face of overwhelming danger. It highlights the harmonious relationship between divine sovereignty and human agency in the biblical narrative of salvation and preservation.
TRV