δρόμος (G1408) — Greek Lexicon

δρόμος

drómos

G1408 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A racecourse or track laid out for runners; by extension, the act or process of running a race, and metaphorically, the course or path of one's life or calling. In literary and rhetorical contexts, δρόμος refers to the length or duration of an undertaking, especially one that is continuous and directed toward a goal or completion. In speeches and philosophical texts, it can represent the span or progress of a mission, pursuit, or career.

Semantic Range

racecourse, running track, the act of running a race, period or span of running, a course or journey (literal and metaphorical), path of life or mission, pursuit, career, progression toward a goal

Root / Etymology

From the root δρομ- (to run), related to τρέχω ('to run'). The noun δρόμος is attested in Classical Greek and is connected with other words involving running or movement. It is not a direct derivative of τρέχω but shares the underlying semantic domain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, δρόμος primarily referred to a physical racecourse, such as those used in athletic competitions (e.g., the stadium). The term was expanded in philosophical and rhetorical literature to denote the course or span of an activity or life. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods, including New Testament usage, the word is often employed metaphorically to describe a life's work or mission (e.g., Acts 13:25; 20:24; 2 Timothy 4:7), drawing on the imagery of athletes in a race. While English translations commonly render δρόμος as 'course,' 'race,' or 'career,' these may not fully capture the dynamic sense of purposeful movement and striving toward completion inherent in the Greek word. The metaphor was accessible throughout the Greco-Roman world due to the cultural prominence of athletic contests and their use as moral exemplars.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the alternate of τρέχω; a race, i.e. (figuratively) career:--course.

Root Family

δρόμος (dromos) — racecourse, running, course, path, pursuit, career

Root δρομ- to run, race, to move swiftly

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1408-01`	δρόμον	dromon	`N ACC M SG`	course	race-course	race-course	3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1408-01`	Acts 13:25	δρόμον	dromon	`N ACC M SG`	course	race-course	course
`G1408-01`	Acts 20:24	δρόμον	dromon	`N ACC M SG`	course	race-course	race-course
`G1408-01`	2 Timothy 4:7	δρόμον	dromon	`N ACC M SG`	race	race-course	race-course

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