4626. skaptó

Lexicon

skaptó: To dig

Original Word: σκάπτω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: skaptó
Pronunciation: skap'-to
Phonetic Spelling: (skap'-to)
Definition: To dig
Meaning: I dig, excavate.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

dig.

Apparently a primary verb; to dig -- dig.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from a prim. root skaph
Definition
to dig
NASB Translation
dig (2), dug (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4626: σκάπτω

σκάπτω; 1 aorist ἐσκαψα; (allied with it are English 'ship', 'skiff', etc.; Curtius, § 109; Fick 4:267; 7:336); to dig: Luke 6:48 (on which see βαθύνω); (Buttmann, § 130, 5); . ((Homer h. Merc.); Aristophanes, Euripides, Xenophon, Plato, Aristotle, Theophrastus, others) (Compare: κατασκάπτω.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primary verb

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Hebrew 3738: כָּרָה (karah) • to dig, excavate
• Strong's Hebrew 2658: חָפַר (chaphar) • to dig, search out, explore

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the action of digging and are used in the Old Testament to describe both physical and metaphorical acts of uncovering or preparing.

Usage: The verb σκάπτω is used in the New Testament to describe the physical act of digging or tilling the soil. It is often used metaphorically to illustrate spiritual truths or human endeavors.

Context: The Greek verb σκάπτω appears in several New Testament passages, primarily in the context of parables and teachings of Jesus. It conveys the action of digging, which is a fundamental agricultural activity in the ancient world, necessary for planting and cultivating crops. This action is often used metaphorically to describe preparation, effort, and the uncovering of hidden truths.

In Luke 13:8, the verb is used in the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree: "Sir, leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it." Here, σκάπτω illustrates the gardener's effort to give the tree another chance to bear fruit, symbolizing God's patience and the opportunity for repentance and growth.

Another notable usage is found in Luke 16:3, in the Parable of the Unjust Steward: "The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking away my position? I am too weak to dig and too ashamed to beg.’" In this context, σκάπτω highlights the steward's recognition of his limitations and the urgency of his situation, prompting him to act shrewdly.

The act of digging, as expressed by σκάπτω, often implies labor, preparation, and the uncovering of what is beneath the surface. It serves as a metaphor for spiritual diligence and the pursuit of deeper understanding and repentance.

Forms and Transliterations

έσκαψε εσκαψεν ἔσκαψεν σκαπτειν σκάπτειν σκαφή σκαψω σκάψω eskapsen éskapsen skapso skapsō skápso skápsō skaptein skáptein

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 6:48 V-AIA-3S
GRK: οἰκίαν ὃς ἔσκαψεν καὶ ἐβάθυνεν
NAS: a house, who dug deep and laid
KJV: an house, and digged deep, and
INT: a house who dug and deepened

Luke 13:8 V-ASA-1S
GRK: ἕως ὅτου σκάψω περὶ αὐτὴν
NAS: too, until I dig around it and put
KJV: also, till I shall dig about it,
INT: until when I shall dig about it

Luke 16:3 V-PNA
GRK: ἀπ' ἐμοῦ σκάπτειν οὐκ ἰσχύω
NAS: from me? I am not strong enough to dig; I am ashamed
KJV: I cannot dig; to beg
INT: from me To dig not I am able

Strong's Greek 4626
3 Occurrences

ἔσκαψεν — 1 Occ.
σκάψω — 1 Occ.
σκάπτειν — 1 Occ.