The term "leapt" appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often signifying a sudden or vigorous movement, typically associated with joy, excitement, or divine intervention. This entry explores the occurrences and significance of "leapt" within the biblical narrative, drawing from the Berean Standard Bible for scriptural references.

Old Testament References

1. 2 Samuel 6:16 · "As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart." In this passage, King David leapt with joy as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem. His leaping is an expression of exuberant worship and celebration before the Lord, highlighting the importance of heartfelt worship and the joy of God's presence.

2. Psalm 18:29 · "For in You I can charge an army, and with my God I can scale a wall." While the term "leapt" is not directly used in this verse, the imagery of scaling a wall conveys a similar sense of vigorous action and divine empowerment. The psalmist attributes his ability to overcome obstacles to the strength and support provided by God.

New Testament References

1. Luke 1:41 · "When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit." This passage describes the reaction of John the Baptist, still in his mother Elizabeth's womb, leaping at the sound of Mary's greeting. This leap is significant as it indicates the recognition of the presence of Jesus, the Messiah, even before His birth. It underscores the divine nature of Jesus and the prophetic role of John the Baptist.

2. Acts 3:8 · "He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God." Here, a man lame from birth is miraculously healed by Peter and John in the name of Jesus Christ. His leaping is a physical manifestation of his newfound freedom and healing, as well as a testament to the power of faith and the name of Jesus.

Theological Implications

The act of leaping in the Bible often symbolizes a response to divine intervention or the presence of God. It is an expression of joy, freedom, and the transformative power of faith. In the Old Testament, leaping is associated with worship and celebration, as seen in the example of King David. In the New Testament, it signifies recognition of the Messiah and the miraculous works performed through faith in Jesus Christ.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, physical expressions such as leaping and dancing were common in religious and celebratory contexts. These actions were seen as outward manifestations of inner emotions and spiritual experiences. The biblical accounts of leaping reflect this cultural understanding, emphasizing the importance of expressing one's faith and joy in tangible ways.

Conclusion

The biblical use of "leapt" serves as a powerful reminder of the joy and freedom found in God's presence and the transformative impact of faith. Whether in worship, recognition of the Messiah, or miraculous healing, leaping is portrayed as a natural and exuberant response to the divine.(p. p.) of Leap.

Psalm LXII.
... Ye that will not draw near and pass over, "do not hope in iniquity." For I that
have leapt over, my hope is in God; and is there anywise iniquity with God? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxii.htm

How we Ought Lovingly to Receive God.
... all times behold Thee, I should not have repaired of my own accord, and even if
I had not seen them, still my heart, on their account, would have leapt in my ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xxiii how we ought.htm

Andromeda
... Over the mountain aloft ran a rush and a roll and a roaring; Downward the breeze
came indignant, and leapt with a howl to the water, Roaring in cranny and crag ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/andromeda.htm

From the Saying of Our Lord we Know that the Flesh is Weak...
... The philosophers have been outstripped,"for instance Heraclitus, who, smeared with
cow dung, burned himself; and Empedocles, who leapt down into the fires of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad martyras/chapter iv from the saying.htm

The Ethics of Elfland
... As a babe I leapt up on my mother's knee at the mere mention of it. No; the vision
is always solid and reliable. The vision is always a fact. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/iv the ethics of elfland.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... Part of the flesh was then placed upon the wood, and as the old man raised his hands
to heaven the flames leapt up and burned the flesh; and all the time the ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

The Blessed Hope and Its Power
... The others left it, as they thought, alone; leapt, as they thought, over it; as
if they could pursue a spiritual life which should be irrespective of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moule/philippian studies/chapter x the blessed hope.htm

Monos
... So away we rowed, or rather were rowed by four stalwart , along the northern
shore of the gulf, while the sun leapt up straight astern, and made the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vi monos.htm

The Grave of John, and Another Grave
... These two rivers sprang from the same source, in a quiet glen far up among the hills;
lay in deep lagoons during their earlier course; leapt down in the same ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xv the grave of john.htm

The First Word from the Cross
... and habitual? Evidently it was because prayer was the natural language
of Jesus that at this moment it leapt to His lips. It is ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xiv the first word.htm

Leapt (2 Occurrences)
... (pp) of Leap. Multi-Version Concordance Leapt (2 Occurrences). Luke 1:41 and as
soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe leapt within her. ...
/l/leapt.htm - 7k

Within (400 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV). Luke 1:41 and as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe leapt
within her. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, (WEY). ...
/w/within.htm - 36k

Leaps (5 Occurrences)

/l/leaps.htm - 7k

Reached (152 Occurrences)
... Pilate. (See NIV). Luke 1:44 For, the moment your greeting reached my ears,
the babe within me leapt for joy. (WEY NAS NIV). Luke ...
/r/reached.htm - 35k

Moment (71 Occurrences)
... evil of me. (See NIV). Luke 1:44 For, the moment your greeting reached my
ears, the babe within me leapt for joy. (WEY). Luke 2:38 ...
/m/moment.htm - 29k

Bodily (17 Occurrences)
... 5. (adv.) In respect to, or so as to affect, the entire body or mass; entirely;
all at once; completely; as, to carry away bodily. Leapt bodily below. ...
/b/bodily.htm - 12k

Learn (76 Occurrences)

/l/learn.htm - 29k

Who was John the Baptist in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Leapt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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