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

primary "go" 132 occurrences

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.

Alternatives (21 occurrences):
"journeying" (11x) "way" (4x) "journey" (3x) "those journeying for" (1x) "journeyed" (1x) "having journeyed" (1x)

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

Root πορεύ- 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