πορεύομαι
poreúomai
G4198 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To proceed or travel from one place to another, to go; in extended or figurative contexts, to carry on a course of action, conduct one’s life, or, less commonly, to depart (often meaning to die, in euphemism). The primary meaning is related to physical movement or journey, but in Koine Greek the verb frequently acquires a metaphorical sense of living or behaving in a certain way, or of embarking on a particular course (of conduct or fate).
Semantic Range
to go, to travel, to journey, to proceed, to depart, to conduct oneself, to live (a certain way), to behave, to die (depart, euphemistically)
Root / Etymology
From the root πορεύ-, related to πορεία ('journey'), ultimately from the noun πορος ('passage, way, ford'). The verb is denominative, formed from the stem of these words, with the middle/passive forms serving as the primary usage in Koine Greek. The derivation from πεῖρα (as suggested in some older lexicons) is now considered incorrect.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, πορεύομαι is less common than βαίνω or ἔρχομαι but is present in both the passive and middle forms, typically referring to traveling or moving along a way. In the Septuagint and New Testament it is one of the most frequent verbs for going or proceeding and often replaces Hebrew הלך (halakh, 'to walk, go'). In metaphorical contexts, especially in moral or religious discourse, πορεύομαι may refer to one's behavior, 'walk', or general mode of life—usage that English translation tradition sometimes renders as 'walk' or 'live' (e.g., 'walking in the way of righteousness'). It is also sometimes used euphemistically for 'to die' (to depart). Modern readers should note that the metaphorical use for behavior or life-conduct is deeply rooted in biblical and Jewish Greek, extending the semantic range beyond literal travel. In later Christian usage and English translation, the richness of these expressions is sometimes lost when the verb is reduced simply to 'go'.
Translation Consistency
The primary sense of πορεύομαι is to move/travel from one place to another; 'go' is the most common, natural, and flexible English verb that covers physical movement and the frequent figurative senses (carry on, proceed, depart). It is simple, idiomatic, and fits the majority of occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
middle voice from a derivative of the same as πεῖρα; to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.); --depart, go (away, forth, one's way, up), (make a, take a) journey, walk.
Root Family
πορεύομαι (poreuomai) — to go, to travel, to journey, to proceed
Word Forms
36 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4198-08 |
πορεύεσθαι | poreuesthai | V PRS MID INF |
to go | to go on one’s way | to go on one's way | 17 |
G4198-20 |
πορεύου | poreuou | V PRS MID IMP 2P SG |
go | go on your way | go on your way | 15 |
G4198-31 |
πορευθέντες | poreuthentes | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
having gone | having gone | having gone | 15 |
G4198-05 |
ἐπορεύθη | eporeuthe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
went | he journeyed | he went | 12 |
G4198-11 |
πορεύομαι | poreuomai | V PRS MID IND 1P SG |
I go | I go on my way | I go on my way | 10 |
G4198-27 |
πορευθεὶς | poreutheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
having gone | having gone | having gone | 8 |
G4198-14 |
πορευόμενοι | poreuomenoi | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL |
walking | those journeying | those going | 7 |
G4198-10 |
πορεύεται | poreuetai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
he goes | goes on his way | goes on his way | 7 |
G4198-09 |
πορεύεσθε | poreuesthe | V PRS MID IMP 2P PL |
go | Be going on your way | Go on your way | 7 |
G4198-01 |
ἐπορεύετο | eporeueto | V IMPF MID IND 3P SG |
he was going | he was journeying | he was journeying | 6 |
Occurrences in Scripture
153 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4198-31 |
Matthew 2:8 | πορευθέντες | poreuthentes | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
Go | having gone | having gone |
G4198-06 |
Matthew 2:9 | ἐπορεύθησαν | eporeuthesan | V AOR PASS IND 3P PL |
they departed | they proceeded | they went |
G4198-20 |
Matthew 2:20 | πορεύου | poreuou | V PRS MID IMP 2P SG |
go | go on your way | go on your way |
G4198-34 |
Matthew 8:9 | πορεύθητι | poreutheti | V AOR PASS IMP 2P SG |
'Go!' | Be on your way | Be on your way |
G4198-10 |
Matthew 8:9 | πορεύεται | poreuetai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
he goes | goes on his way | goes on his way |
G4198-31 |
Matthew 9:13 | πορευθέντες | poreuthentes | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
go | having gone | having gone |
G4198-09 |
Matthew 10:6 | πορεύεσθε | poreuesthe | V PRS MID IMP 2P PL |
go | Be going on your way | Go on your way |
G4198-14 |
Matthew 10:7 | πορευόμενοι | poreuomenoi | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL |
as you go | those journeying | those going |
G4198-31 |
Matthew 11:4 | πορευθέντες | poreuthentes | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL |
having gone | having gone | having gone |
G4198-16 |
Matthew 11:7 | πορευομένων | poreuomenon | V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL |
were going away | of those journeying | of those going |