εἰστρέχω
I run in
Definition
Eἰστρέχω means to run into or run inside a place, conveying a sense of sudden, hurried, or eager movement from an exterior location into an interior space. In its single New Testament occurrence in Acts 12:14, it describes the servant girl Rhoda, who, upon recognizing Peter's voice at the outer gate, runs back inside the house to announce the news, leaving Peter standing outside. The word emphasizes the physical action of entering by running, often implying urgency or excitement. There are no other biblical contexts to suggest a different or metaphorical meaning for this specific compound verb.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 12:14. It occurs in the narrative of Peter's miraculous escape from prison. The usage is purely descriptive of a physical action within a specific story context, showing a character's immediate, impulsive reaction to surprising news. The context is a house church gathering in Jerusalem, and the action moves the plot forward by creating a moment of delay and confusion.
Etymology
Eἰστρέχω is a compound verb formed from the preposition εἰς (eis, G1519), meaning 'into' or 'to,' and the common verb τρέχω (trechō, G5143), meaning 'I run.' It is a straightforward combination where the prepositional prefix specifies the direction of the running action. Its meaning is essentially 'to run into,' a literal sense maintained from its component parts without significant semantic development.
Semantic Range
The action depicts a common domestic scene but reflects cultural norms of the time. A servant girl (Rhoda) would typically answer the door of a house. Her immediate, excited run back into the main gathering, leaving the visitor at the gate, highlights the surprising and joyous nature of Peter's unexpected arrival, which was thought impossible. It contrasts with a more formal or cautious reception one might expect for a visitor, especially at night during a time of persecution.
τρέχω (trechō, G5143) — The root verb, a more general term for 'I run' without the specific directional component of entering. εἰσέρχομαι (eiserchomai, G1525) — A very common verb meaning 'I go in' or 'I enter,' but it does not carry the specific nuance of hurried movement or running.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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