στοιχέω (G4748) — Greek Lexicon

στοιχέω

stoichéō

G4748 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To proceed in a line, march in step or in order; by extension, to live, act, or behave according to a standard, principle, or rule. In literal contexts, used for soldiers marching or things being arranged in sequence; in figurative contexts, it refers to living one's life in line with a code, norm, or guideline.

Semantic Range

to proceed in a line, to march in step, to behave according to a standard, to live in conformity, to follow a rule or principle, to align oneself with instruction

Root / Etymology

From the root στοιχ- (stoich-), related to στοῖχος (stoichos, 'row', 'line', 'rank'), and ultimately derived from proto-Indo-European meaning 'to step, go in order.' The verb describes the act of moving or behaving in accordance with or as in a line or sequence. It is not directly attested in Homeric Greek but is Hellenistic/Classical in formation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, στοιχέω appears in both literal and metaphorical uses: literally, it describes marching in a row or line, as in military or ceremonial contexts; metaphorically, it describes conforming to a pattern, principle, or doctrine. In the Septuagint and later Jewish-Greek writings, the verb is employed for 'living according to the Law' or keeping in step with God's commands. In the New Testament, στοιχέω is mostly found in Paul's letters (e.g., Galatians 5:25; 6:16; Philippians 3:16) where it carries the ethical sense of living or conducting oneself according to a standard (such as the Spirit, the gospel, or specific instruction). English translations often render it as 'walk' or 'live' or 'keep in step', but the nuance of intentional conformity to an established norm can be more pronounced in Greek than in these renderings. Other Greek verbs for 'walk' or 'behave', such as περιπατέω, can be broader, whereas στοιχέω more directly suggests alignment or conformity to a pattern or rule.

Translation Consistency

primary "walk" 2 occurrences

"Walk" is the most natural, idiomatic English verb that covers both the literal sense (proceed/march) and the common figurative sense (live or behave in conformity with a rule or standard). It matches the typical Bible-language usage and the majority of attested renderings while remaining easy to inflect consistently across forms.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):

"those marching in line" (1x) "us march in line" (1x) "march in line" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of (to range in regular line); to march in (military) rank (keep step), i.e. (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety:--walk (orderly).

Root Family

στοιχέω (stoicheō) — to go in a row, to march, to follow a standard

Root στοιχ- to go in a row, to march, to follow a standard

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4748-03`	στοιχήσουσιν	stoichesousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	walk	they will march in line	they will march in line	1
`G4748-04`	στοιχῶμεν	stoichomen	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL`	let us walk	let us march in line	let us march in line	1
`G4748-05`	στοιχοῦσιν	stoichousin	`V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M PL`	follow	to those marching in line	to those marching in line	1
`G4748-02`	στοιχεῖς	stoicheis	`V PRS ACT IND 2P SG`	walkest orderly	you march in line	you walk in an orderly manner	1
`G4748-01`	στοιχεῖν	stoichein	`V PRS ACT INF`	let us walk	to march in line	to walk in line	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4748-02`	Acts 21:24	στοιχεῖς	stoicheis	`V PRS ACT IND 2P SG`	walkest orderly	you march in line	you walk in an orderly manner
`G4748-05`	Romans 4:12	στοιχοῦσιν	stoichousin	`V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M PL`	follow	to those marching in line	to those marching in line
`G4748-04`	Galatians 5:25	στοιχῶμεν	stoichomen	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL`	let us walk	let us march in line	let us march in line
`G4748-03`	Galatians 6:16	στοιχήσουσιν	stoichesousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	walk	they will march in line	they will march in line
`G4748-01`	Philippians 3:16	στοιχεῖν	stoichein	`V PRS ACT INF`	let us walk	to march in line	to walk in line

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