Strong's g3593

Pronunciation Guide: ho-DYOO-oh

Quick Answer: ὁδεύω (hodeuo) means “to travel” or “journey on a road,” encompassing both physical movement and life’s spiritual journey, emphasizing purposeful direction and divine encounters along the way.

Key Information

ὁδεύω

Transliteration: hodeuo Part of Speech: Verb First Appears: Luke 10:33 Appears: 1 times

Strong’s Entry

g3593

Gloss: hodeuo (hod-yoo’-o) v.1. to travel[from G3598]KJV: journey Root(s): G3598 

1. What Does ὁδεύω Mean?

Strong’s G3593: ὁδεύω (hodeuo) fundamentally means “to travel,” “to journey,” or “to go on one’s way.” This Greek verb captures the essence of purposeful movement along a path or road, whether literal or metaphorical. The word encompasses both the physical act of traveling from one place to another and the broader concept of life’s journey with its divine appointments and encounters. In its biblical usage, ὁδεύω often implies not just movement, but movement with purpose, direction, and divine providence guiding each step.

Key Insight: ὁδεύω reveals that our life’s journey is never random—every path we travel has potential for divine encounters and Kingdom purposes.

2. Where Does ὁδεύω Come From?

• Part of Speech: Verb (present active infinitive)
• Root Words: Derived from ὁδός (hodos, “way” or “road”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, parables, and teaching contexts describing physical and spiritual journeys

ὁδεύω Morphology:

This section helps you recognize different forms of this word when reading the ancient Greek New Testament texts, enabling deeper personal study and understanding.

Morphology:

• ὁδεύω (present infinitive) – to travel/journey
• ὁδεύων (present participle masculine) – traveling/one who travels
• ὁδεύσας (aorist participle) – having traveled
• ὁδεύει (present indicative 3rd singular) – he/she/it travels
• ὁδεύομαι (present middle/passive) – to travel for oneself

3. What Is the History of ὁδεύω?

The word ὁδεύω has rich historical roots extending back to classical Greek literature, where it described both literal travel and metaphorical life journeys. Homer used forms of this word in the Odyssey to describe Odysseus’s epic journey home, emphasizing not just physical movement but the transformative experiences encountered along the way. Classical authors like Herodotus employed ὁδεύω when describing historical travels and migrations, often highlighting the significance of the journey itself rather than merely the destination.

In the Septuagint, ὁδεύω takes on deeper theological meaning, frequently describing יהוה’s people journeying through the wilderness or walking in His ways. The word appears in contexts where physical travel becomes a metaphor for spiritual pilgrimage and divine guidance. Early church fathers like John Chrysostom used ὁδεύω in their writings to describe the Christian life as a purposeful journey toward heavenly citizenship, emphasizing that believers are always “traveling” through this world toward their eternal home.

Historical Summary: ὁδεύω evolved from describing physical travel in classical Greek to encompassing spiritual pilgrimage and divine purpose in biblical literature.

4. How Should ὁδεύω Be Translated?

Primary meanings of ὁδεύω include:

• To travel or journey
• To go on one’s way
• To proceed along a path
• To make progress in life
• To walk purposefully

Translation Tip: Context determines whether ὁδεύω refers to literal travel or metaphorical life journey—look for surrounding imagery and theological themes.

ὁδεύω Translation Options:

• “To travel” – Emphasizes the physical movement from place to place
• “To journey” – Captures both physical and spiritual dimensions of purposeful movement
• “To go on one’s way” – Highlights personal agency and direction in life choices
• “To make one’s journey” – Emphasizes the deliberate, planned nature of the movement
• “To proceed” – Focuses on forward progress and continuation of purpose

5. How Is ὁδεύω Used in the Bible?

Throughout the New Testament, ὁδεύω appears in contexts that emphasize divine encounters during life’s journey. The word often describes moments when ordinary travel becomes extraordinary through divine intervention or Kingdom encounters. In the Septuagint, ὁδεύω frequently describes יהוה’s people moving with divine purpose, whether through wilderness wanderings or returning from exile.

The usage pattern reveals that ὁδεύω is never merely about transportation—it’s about transformation through journey. Whether describing a Samaritan traveling the Jericho road or disciples walking toward Emmaus, the word suggests that every journey holds potential for divine revelation and ministry opportunity. The verb emphasizes that followers of the Messiah are always “traveling” people, never settling permanently in this world but moving toward Kingdom purposes and eternal destinations.

Usage Summary: ὁδεύω consistently appears in contexts emphasizing divine encounters and Kingdom purposes during life’s journeys and travels.

Cross-reference verses using ὁδεύω:

• “But a Samaritan, who was traveling [ὁδεύων], came where he was; and when he saw him, he felt compassion.” Luke 10:33

6. What Cultural Context Surrounds ὁδεύω?

In first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman culture, travel was both necessary and dangerous. The roads connecting major cities were often frequented by merchants, pilgrims, and messengers, but also by bandits and robbers. When someone was described as ὁδεύων (traveling), it immediately evoked images of vulnerability, purpose, and encounter. Jewish travelers often journeyed in groups for safety, and hospitality toward travelers was considered a sacred duty reflecting God’s character.

The Jericho road, where the Good Samaritan story unfolds, was notoriously dangerous—a winding, desert path between Jerusalem and Jericho that provided perfect hiding places for bandits. When Yeshua chose this setting for His parable, His audience immediately understood the inherent dangers of ὁδεύω. The Hebrew concept of דֶּרֶךְ (derek, “way”) deeply influenced how Greek-speaking Jews understood ὁδεύω—as both physical journey and spiritual walk with יהוה. This dual meaning enriched the word’s theological significance in New Testament contexts.

Cultural Context: ὁδεύω evoked both vulnerability and divine purpose in ancient travel culture, making every journey a potential arena for Kingdom encounters.

7. What Does ὁδεύω Teach Us About God?

ὁδεύω reveals God’s heart for the vulnerable and His sovereignty over every journey. The word teaches us that יהוה orchestrates divine encounters along life’s roads, positioning His people to demonstrate His compassion and love. Through ὁδεύω, we see that God doesn’t just direct our destinations—He sanctifies our journeys, using every step to accomplish His purposes and reveal His character.

The theological significance of ὁδεύω extends beyond individual travel to encompass the entire human experience as a pilgrimage toward God. Every person is ὁδεύων (traveling) through life, and the Messiah Yeshua positions His followers to be instruments of His grace along these journeys. The word reveals God’s intimate involvement in the ordinary moments of travel and transition, transforming routine journeys into opportunities for Kingdom breakthrough and divine revelation.

Theological Core: ὁδεύω demonstrates God’s sovereignty over every journey, transforming ordinary travel into opportunities for extraordinary grace and Kingdom purpose.

8. How Can I Apply ὁδεύω to My Life?

Understanding ὁδεύω transforms how we view our daily travels and life transitions. Every commute, business trip, or vacation becomes a potential arena for Kingdom encounters and divine appointments. Like the Good Samaritan who was simply ὁδεύων when he encountered the wounded man, we must travel through life with eyes open to those whom God places in our path for ministry opportunities.

The deeper application involves recognizing that our entire Christian life is ὁδεύω—a purposeful journey toward our heavenly destination. This perspective helps us hold earthly circumstances lightly while remaining alert to divine encounters and Kingdom purposes along the way. Every transition, move, or life change becomes an opportunity to trust God’s guidance and remain available for His use in the lives of fellow travelers.

Self-Examination Questions: Am I traveling through life with eyes open to divine encounters? How can I make myself more available to God’s purposes during my daily journeys? What wounded travelers has God placed in my path recently?

9. What Words Are Similar to ὁδεύω?

• πορεύομαι (poreuomai) – “to go, proceed, travel” – More formal and purposeful than ὁδεύω, often emphasizing divine commissioning or mission – See G4198
• βαδίζω (badizo) – “to walk, step” – Focuses on the manner of walking rather than the journey itself, more pedestrian than ὁδεύω – See G971
• διέρχομαι (dierchomai) – “to pass through, go through” – Emphasizes passing through territory, more about crossing than journeying like ὁδεύω – See G1330
• περιπατέω (peripateo) – “to walk around, conduct one’s life” – Often metaphorical for lifestyle and behavior, broader than ὁδεύω’s focus on purposeful travel – See G4043
• ἔρχομαι (erchomai) – “to come, go” – More general movement without ὁδεύω’s emphasis on road travel and journey purpose – See G2064

10. Did You Know?

• What does ὁδεύω mean in modern Greek? In contemporary Greek, ὁδεύω has evolved to mean “to guide” or “to lead,” shifting from the biblical emphasis on traveling to directing others’ journeys, reflecting how leaders guide communities.
• How did Homer use ὁδεύω? Homer employed ὁδεύω in the Odyssey to describe Odysseus’s transformative journey home, establishing the word’s literary tradition of emphasizing character development through travel rather than mere geographic movement.
• What’s the difference between ὁδεύω and πορεύομαι? While both mean “to travel,” ὁδεύω emphasizes the road journey itself and encounters along the way, whereas πορεύομαι focuses more on purposeful movement toward a specific destination or divine mission.
• Why does the Bible use ὁδεύω only in Luke’s writings? Luke, as a careful historian and physician, used ὁδεύω to emphasize the providential nature of travel encounters, particularly highlighting how God orchestrates meetings between people during ordinary journeys for extraordinary Kingdom purposes.
• How does ὁδεύω relate to discipleship? ὁδεύω captures the essence of following Yeshua as a journey rather than a destination, emphasizing that discipleship involves constant movement, growth, and encounters with others along the spiritual path.
• What causes spiritual stagnation today? Unlike the dynamic movement implied by ὁδεύω, spiritual stagnation often results from refusing to journey with God through life’s changes, preferring comfortable routines over the adventure of divine appointments and Kingdom encounters.

11. Remember This

ὁδεύω reminds us that we are all travelers on a divine journey where every road holds the potential for Kingdom encounters and every step can become an opportunity to demonstrate God’s compassionate heart to fellow pilgrims.