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Unveiling the Word

The Greek word ὁδοιπορία (hodoiporía) holds significance in Biblical studies as it encapsulates the concept of journeying or traveling, particularly over a long distance. Found in John 4:6, this word captures the weariness that Jesus experienced during His travels through Samaria. Understanding hodoiporía sheds light on the physical journeys in the New Testament and their spiritual meanings, especially given the importance of travel in ancient Greek culture for trade, communication, and religious pilgrimages.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: ὁδοιπορία (hodoiporía), pronounced ho-doi-po-REE-ah.

Etymology: The word ὁδοιπορία is derived from two root words: ὁδός (hodós), meaning “road” or “way,” and πορεία (poréia), meaning “a journey” or “travel.” Thus, the combined term refers to the act of traveling or journeying along a road. This etymological combination ties the concept closely to physical movement, often implying a sense of distance or endurance.

Part of Speech: Noun. ὁδοιπορία is a feminine noun in Greek, indicating the act of traveling or journeying. In various contexts, it can refer to the physical process of moving from one place to another, often over long distances.

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Defining Meanings

1. Travel or Journey: The primary meaning of hodoiporía refers to the act of journeying or traveling, particularly on foot. This meaning emphasizes the physical effort involved in moving between locations, often over an extended period.

2. Long-Distance Journey: In several contexts, hodoiporía is used to describe a long-distance journey, such as in John 4:6, where it reflects the weariness of Jesus after His travels through the region of Samaria.

Exploring Similar Words

1. ὁδός (hodós) [pronunciation: ho-DOS]: Meaning “way” or “road,” this root word forms the basis of hodoiporía. While hodós focuses on the path itself, hodoiporía emphasizes the act of traveling along the path.

2. πορεία (poréia) [pronunciation: po-REE-ah]: This word means “journey” or “expedition,” and is similar in meaning to hodoiporía. However, poréia can refer to any form of travel, whereas hodoiporía specifically involves walking or traveling along a road.

3. πορεύομαι (poreúomai) [pronunciation: po-REU-o-mai]: A verb meaning “to go” or “to travel,” poreúomai shares the same root as hodoiporía but is used to describe the action of traveling rather than the journey itself.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a feminine noun, ὁδοιπορία follows standard Greek noun declension patterns:

• Case, Number, Gender: In John 4:6, hodoiporía appears in the genitive singular case (τῆς ὁδοιπορίας), which indicates possession or relation to the journey. The noun is feminine and can appear in both singular and plural forms depending on the context.

• Declension: ὁδοιπορία belongs to the first declension class in Greek, typically forming its plural by changing the singular -α ending to -αι in the nominative case.

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Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexicon insights reveal that ὁδοιπορία is consistently understood as a term indicating the act of travel, often highlighting the physical or metaphorical journey one undertakes. In New Testament contexts, such as John 4:6, the word emphasizes Jesus’ physical weariness, providing a glimpse of His humanity during the journey through Samaria. In classical Greek literature, hodoiporía often refers to long or challenging journeys, underscoring perseverance and endurance. This concept aligns with the theological implications of Christian discipleship, where the journey of faith mirrors physical travel, filled with challenges and spiritual growth.

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

Tracing Related Scriptures

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

2. Acts 9:3: “And as he journeyed (ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ), he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.”

3. Luke 2:44: “But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey (ἡμέραν ὁδοιπορίας).”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Homer Odyssey “And they continued their journey (ὁδοιπορία) through the night.”

Herodotus Histories “Their journey (ὁδοιπορία) across the desert took many days.”

Septuagint Exodus “And Moses led the people of Israel on a long journey (ὁδοιπορία) through the wilderness.”

Noteworthy Summary

The term ὁδοιπορία (hodoiporía) holds a rich meaning of travel and journey, both physical and spiritual. In John 4:6, it emphasizes Jesus’ human experience of weariness during His travels, reflecting the physical toll of His ministry. The word’s deeper significance in the New Testament points to the endurance required in the Christian walk of faith. Rooted in classical Greek usage, hodoiporía also speaks to the universal human experience of journeying through life, a theme central to the Gospel narrative.

Did You Know?

1. The word ὁδοιπορία is related to odometer, which measures distance traveled, much like hodoiporía captures the essence of a journey.

2. In ancient Greek culture, long-distance travel was often seen as a test of endurance and patience, mirroring the spiritual journey of early Christians.

3. Hodoiporía is frequently used in classical Greek literature to describe challenging journeys, often undertaken with a higher purpose in mind, similar to its New Testament usage.