from the same as ὁδοιπορέω; travel:--journey(-ing).
Transliteration:hodoiporía
Pronunciation:hod-oy-por-ee'-ah
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun G3597 (hodoiporía) is derived from the verb G3598 (hodoiporeō), which means "to travel" or "to journey." This verb, in turn, is a compound of G3598 (hodos), meaning "way" or "road," and G4160 (poieō), meaning "to make" or "to do." Thus, hodoiporía literally signifies "way-making" or "the act of making a way." Its core meaning denotes the physical act of traveling, a journey, or the process of moving along a road. The term emphasizes the activity and duration of a physical trip, typically by land.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G3597 (hodoiporía) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the book of Acts.
* [[Acts 19:21]]: "Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome." The Greek text here states: "Διελθὼν γὰρ τὰς ὁδοιπορίας ταύτας, ἤμελλεν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἀναβαίνειν..." (Having gone through these journeys, he was about to go up to Jerusalem...).
In this sole occurrence, hodoiporía is used in the plural (τὰς ὁδοιπορίας) to refer to the extensive missionary travels undertaken by the Apostle Paul through Macedonia and Achaia. The context highlights the culmination of a significant period of itinerant ministry. Paul's "journeys" were not leisurely trips but purposeful, often arduous, movements for the propagation of the Gospel. This usage underscores the physically demanding and mobile nature of early apostolic work, characterized by continuous movement from one region to another to establish and strengthen Christian communities.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek terms share semantic connections with G3597 (hodoiporía), shedding further light on its meaning:
* G3598 (hodos): The most fundamental related word, meaning "way," "road," or "journey." hodoiporía is the active process of being on an hodos.
* G3598 (hodoiporeō): The verbal form from which hodoiporía is derived, meaning "to travel" or "to journey." The noun describes the action of the verb.
* G4160 (poieō): "To do," "to make." This is the second component of the compound word, indicating the active "making" or "doing" of a journey.
* G4197 (poreia): A more general term for "a going," "a journey," or "a course of life." While similar, hodoiporía specifically emphasizes the aspect of traveling *on a road* or *way*.
* G4144 (plous): "A voyage," specifically referring to travel by sea. This contrasts with hodoiporía, which typically implies land travel, highlighting different modes of journeying in the ancient world.
* **Concepts:** Beyond individual words, hodoiporía relates to broader biblical concepts such as pilgrimage, missionary endeavor, physical exertion in service to God, and the metaphorical "journey of faith" that characterizes the Christian life.
### Theological Significance
Though appearing only once, G3597 (hodoiporía) carries significant theological weight within its context:
* **Apostolic Itinerancy:** The term directly illustrates the itinerant nature of apostolic ministry. Paul's "journeys" were not random wanderings but deliberate, Spirit-led movements essential for spreading the Gospel across vast geographical areas. This highlights that the early church's expansion was deeply tied to the physical mobility and dedication of its leaders.
* **Sacrifice and Dedication:** The multiplicity and arduousness implied by Paul's "journeys" speak to the profound self-sacrifice and unwavering dedication required for effective evangelism. These travels often involved hardship, danger, and physical exhaustion, underscoring the cost of discipleship and ministry for the sake of Christ's kingdom.
* **Divine Purpose in Movement:** Implicit in the biblical accounts of journeys, especially those of God's servants, is the understanding of divine guidance and providence. Paul's hodoiporía was not merely human effort but a divinely ordained movement, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in directing His servants to fulfill His redemptive purposes.
* **The Christian Life as a Journey:** While hodoiporía specifically denotes physical travel, it resonates with the broader biblical motif of life as a journey or pilgrimage. The Christian walk is often depicted as a purposeful movement towards a heavenly destination, involving challenges, growth, and reliance on divine guidance, mirroring the literal hodoiporía of the apostles.
### Summary
G3597 (hodoiporía) refers to the act of traveling or a journey, particularly emphasizing movement along a road or way. Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Acts 19:21]] describes the extensive missionary "journeys" of the Apostle Paul, underscoring the physical demands and mobility inherent in early apostolic ministry. Derived from `{{G3598}}` (hodos, "way") and `{{G3598}}` (hodoiporeō, "to journey"), it highlights the active process of making one's way. Theologically, hodoiporía signifies the itinerant nature and sacrificial dedication of those engaged in spreading the Gospel, reflecting the purposeful movement under divine guidance that characterized the expansion of the early church. It serves as a reminder of the physical commitment required for spiritual endeavors and resonates with the broader biblical theme of the Christian life as a purposeful journey.
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