κολυμβάω
I swim
Definition
κολυμβάω (kolymbaō) means 'to swim' or, more specifically, 'to dive into water.' In its single New Testament occurrence, it describes the action of swimming to shore from a ship. The word can imply a deliberate, vigorous movement through water, often to reach safety or a destination. While the basic sense is physical swimming, the original nuance of diving or plunging into water is retained in its classical usage.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 27:43. It describes the centurion's command to let prisoners who could swim jump overboard first and make for land during the shipwreck of Paul's voyage to Rome. The context is a dramatic, life-saving action in a perilous maritime situation.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek noun κολυμβήθρα (kolymbēthra), meaning 'a swimming pool' or 'a place for diving.' The verb itself is a primary formation related to the act of plunging into water. Cognates in other languages point to a shared Indo-European root for concepts of bathing or washing.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is not theologically loaded, its sole biblical context in Acts 27:43 is significant. It highlights God's providential protection over Paul, as even in a violent shipwreck, all lives were spared. The act of swimming to safety becomes a small part of the larger narrative of God fulfilling His promise to bring Paul to Rome (Acts 23:11). Understanding this specific action enriches the reading of this dramatic account of divine faithfulness in crisis.
In the Greco-Roman world, swimming was a known but not universally practiced skill, often associated with survival, military training, or recreation. The scene in Acts reflects the real danger of Mediterranean sea travel. The command for capable swimmers to go first was a practical, life-preserving measure in an era without modern life-saving equipment.
νέω (neō, G3520) — a more general term for swimming or floating. κολυμβάω implies a more active, plunging motion.
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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