Brief Overview of ὁδοιπορέω (Strong’s G3596: hodoiporeō)

Unveiling the Word

The Greek word ὁδοιπορέω (hodoiporeō) is a significant term in Biblical studies, primarily due to its rich meaning of traveling or journeying. Understanding this word helps us gain deeper insight into various New Testament passages where physical journeys often carry spiritual and symbolic undertones. It appears in Acts 10:9, where Peter goes up to the rooftop to pray after completing a journey. This term reflects the broader cultural and spiritual context of travel and pilgrimage, vital concepts in both ancient Greek life and early Christianity.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: ὁδοιπορέω (hodoiporeō), pronounced ho-do-ee-por-EH-o.

Etymology: The word ὁδοιπορέω is a compound of two roots: ὁδός (hodos), meaning “way” or “road,” and πορεύω (poreuō), meaning “to go” or “to travel.” Combined, it means “to walk on a journey” or “to travel along a road.” The word is deeply connected to the idea of movement along a path, whether physical or metaphorical, which was common in the ancient world, especially in the context of pilgrimage and missionary journeys.

Part of Speech: Verb. ὁδοιπορέω is an action verb, emphasizing the physical act of traveling or journeying. It is often used in the context of someone making their way from one location to another, either alone or in a group.

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Defining Meanings

1. To Journey or Travel: The primary meaning of ὁδοιπορέω is to travel from one place to another, typically by walking or embarking on a journey. In the New Testament, this is often seen in the context of disciples and apostles traveling to spread the message of the Gospel.

2. To Embark on a Pilgrimage: The word also carries a spiritual connotation, especially in the context of early Christian life, where traveling often involved pilgrimage, mission, or a symbolic journey of faith.

Exploring Similar Words

1. πορεύομαι (poreuomai) [pronunciation: po-REU-o-mai]: This word shares the same root and similarly means “to go” or “to travel.” It is more commonly used to indicate any kind of movement from one place to another, whereas ὁδοιπορέω emphasizes the journey aspect, often implying distance or a deliberate pilgrimage.

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2. ἀναβαίνω (anabainō) [pronunciation: a-na-BAI-no]: This word means “to go up” and is often used in the context of ascending, particularly when referring to going up to Jerusalem or to a high place for prayer or sacrifice.

3. καταβαίνω (katabainō) [pronunciation: ka-ta-BAI-no]: This word, meaning “to go down,” is sometimes used in conjunction with ὁδοιπορέω when describing physical descent on a journey, such as coming down from a mountain or hill.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, ὁδοιπορέω follows typical Greek verb conjugations:

• Tense, Voice, Mood: In Acts 10:9, the verb appears in the aorist participle form, reflecting a completed action in the past. The verb can also appear in other tenses, including the present tense, where it describes an ongoing journey. In different contexts, ὁδοιπορέω can be used in the indicative, subjunctive, or imperative mood to indicate facts, possibilities, or commands related to traveling.

• Person and Number: The verb can be conjugated across all persons (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and both singular and plural forms, depending on whether the subject is an individual or a group of people journeying together.

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Studying Lexicon Insights

The term ὁδοιπορέω is consistently interpreted across lexicons as referring to the act of traveling, usually on foot. Lexicons such as BDAG and Thayer’s emphasize the physical nature of the journey, with spiritual undertones when used in a Biblical context. In New Testament theology, this word conveys the notion of discipleship, missionary work, and pilgrimage. The term was common in classical Greek literature as well, where it referred to long journeys, often fraught with challenges, underscoring the perseverance required in both literal and spiritual travels.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Acts 10:9: “On the morrow, as they went on their journey (ὁδοιπορέω), and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour.”

2. Luke 24:13: “And, behold, two of them went (ὁδοιπορέω) that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.”

3. John 4:6: “Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey (ὁδοιπορέω), sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Homer Odyssey “Odysseus set out on his journey (ὁδοιπορέω) to find his way back home.”

Herodotus Histories “The men traveled (ὁδοιπορέω) many days across the desert.”

Septuagint Genesis “And Abraham went on his journey (ὁδοιπορέω), moving from place to place.”

Noteworthy Summary

The word ὁδοιπορέω highlights the act of journeying, both physical and spiritual. Appearing in Acts 10:9, it speaks to the idea of travel being more than just a movement between places, but a metaphor for the journey of faith. This word enriches our understanding of the New Testament, where journeys are symbolic of personal growth, discipleship, and the spread of the Gospel. In classical Greek literature, the term often connotes endurance and perseverance, ideas that resonate with its use in Christian theology.

Did You Know?

1. The word ὁδοιπορέω is related to the English word “odometer,” which measures distance traveled.

2. In the ancient world, long journeys were often made on foot, making this term a frequent one in both secular and religious contexts.

3. Early Christian missionaries frequently used this word to describe their travels as they spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire.