Lexical Summary hodoiporia: Journey, travel, wayfaring Original Word: ὁδοιπορία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance journey. From the same as hodoiporeo; travel -- journey(-ing). see GREEK hodoiporeo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as hodoiporeó Definition a journey NASB Translation journey (1), journeys (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3597: ὁδοιπορίαὁδοιπορία, ὁδοιπορίας, ἡ (ὁδοιπόρος), a journey, journeying: John 4:6; 2 Corinthians 11:26. (Wis. 13:18 Wis. 18:3; 1 Macc. 6:41; Herodotus, Xenophon, Diodorus 5, 29; Herodian, others.) STRONGS NT 3597a: ὁδοποιέωὁδοποιέω, ὁδοποιῶ; in Greek writings from Xenophon down, to make a road; to level, make passable, smooth, open, a way; and so also in the Sept.: ὡδοποιησε τρίβον τῇ ὀργή αὐτοῦ, for פִּלֵס, Psalm 77:50 Topical Lexicon Meaning and Biblical Usage Strong’s Greek 3597 communicates the idea of a “journey,” especially one made on foot. The term is rare—appearing only twice in the Greek New Testament—yet its contexts illuminate important truths about the humanity of Christ and the endurance required of Christian ministers. Occurrences • John 4:6 – “Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, worn out from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.” Historical and Cultural Background First-century travel was arduous. Roads were often unpaved, banditry was common, and physical fatigue a given. A “journey” meant exposure to heat, hunger, and hazard. The two New Testament writers who employ the word—John and Paul—do so with this shared cultural awareness, yet for distinct theological aims. Christological Insight (John 4:6) John presents Jesus seated by Jacob’s well, “worn out from His journey.” The word underscores genuine human fatigue, confirming the incarnation without diminishing divine authority. His physical weariness positions Him for a providential encounter with the Samaritan woman, illustrating how God uses ordinary human limitations to accomplish redemptive purposes. Apostolic Endurance (2 Corinthians 11:26) Paul catalogs the perils of his missionary “journeys” to defend the authenticity of his apostleship. The word evokes not leisurely travel but relentless, risk-laden movement in service of the gospel. “Frequent journeys” become a badge of credibility: love for Christ and the churches propelled Paul through rivers, wilderness, and seas despite mortal danger. Theology of Journey Scripture consistently portrays God’s people as travelers—Abraham leaving Ur, Israel crossing the wilderness, disciples sent two by two. Strong’s 3597 focuses this motif into concrete New-Covenant application: Christ walks the dusty road; Paul endures perilous routes; believers are likewise called to pilgrimage (Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11). Physical journeys mirror the spiritual one—marked by hardship yet guided by divine purpose. Ministry Applications 1. Incarnational Compassion – Ministers should embrace the limits of body and circumstance, trusting God to work through fatigue and interruption as with Jesus at Sychar. Summary Though occurring only twice, Strong’s Greek 3597 encapsulates both the realism of Christ’s humanity and the relentless advance of apostolic mission. The term gathers up the biblical theme of pilgrimage, reminding the church that gospel progress often travels on weary feet yet under sovereign direction. Forms and Transliterations οδοιποριαις ὁδοιπορίαις οδοιποριας οδοιπορίας ὁδοιπορίας οδοιπόροι οδοιπόρον οδοιπόρος οδοποιήσατε ωδοποίησας ωδοποίησε ωδοποίησεν hodoiporiais hodoiporíais hodoiporias hodoiporías odoiporiais odoiporiasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 4:6 N-GFSGRK: ἐκ τῆς ὁδοιπορίας ἐκαθέζετο οὕτως NAS: being wearied from His journey, was sitting KJV: with [his] journey, sat INT: from the journey sat thus 2 Corinthians 11:26 N-DFP Strong's Greek 3597 |