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τρέχω

tréchō

G5143 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To move swiftly on foot, to run; in various contexts, used of literal running (as in athletics or travel) or metaphorically, to advance rapidly, pursue a goal, or hasten towards an outcome. In figurative usage, denotes earnest endeavor, participation in a contest or undertaking, or the progression of a message or event.

Semantic Range

to run physically, to hasten, to hurry, to exert oneself in pursuit, to advance rapidly (of persons or things), to participate eagerly (in a contest or undertaking), to make progress (especially of a message or teaching)

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root τρέχ- (trech-); an ancient verb of uncertain further derivation, not clearly connected etymologically with θρίξ (thríx, hair) despite the Strong’s comparison. Related to the noun δρόμος (dromos, 'race, course'), which forms certain compound tenses of the verb.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, τρέχω primarily denoted physical motion—running—as distinct from walking (βαδίζω, badizo). It is present in Homeric Greek and remains common throughout subsequent Greek literature. By the Hellenistic and Koine period, it also acquired figurative senses, frequently used in philosophical, rhetorical, and later Jewish and Christian writings in the context of moral striving, the pursuit of a calling, or the spread of teachings (e.g., 'the word of God runs'). In the New Testament, τρέχω can refer to literal running (John 20:4) or be applied metaphorically to pursuing an apostolic vocation, participating in a spiritual contest, or the swift progress of the gospel (Romans 9:16; 1 Corinthians 9:24; Galatians 2:2; Philippians 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:1). English translations generally reflect both literal ('run') and metaphorical ('pursue', 'make progress') uses, though the broader sense of urgency, effort, or competition intrinsic to the Greek may not always be expressed. The distinction between the physical and metaphorical senses is contextually determined; unlike related verbs for walking or going (πορεύομαι, βαδίζω), τρέχω always involves a sense of rapid, energetic motion whether literal or figurative.

Translation Consistency

primary "run" 6 occurrences

'Run' is the most natural, common English verb covering both the literal sense (move swiftly on foot) and the frequent figurative senses (hasten, pursue, make rapid progress, take part in a race or contest). It matches the dominant English renderings found in the data (running/ran) and keeps consistent, idiomatic wording across all forms.

Alternatives (14 occurrences):
"running" (7x) "ran" (5x) "those running" (1x) "keep running" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary verb (properly, ; compare θρίξ); which uses (the base of δρόμος) as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily (literally or figuratively):--have course, run.

Root Family

τρέχω (trechō) — to run, to move swiftly, to hasten

Root τρέχ- to run, to move swiftly, to hasten

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5143-01 δραμὼν dramon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG ran having run having run 3
G5143-03 ἔδραμον edramon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL had run they ran I ran 3
G5143-02 ἔδραμεν edramen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he ran he ran he ran 2
G5143-09 τρέχω trecho V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I might be running I am running I am running 2
G5143-04 ἐτρέχετε etrechete V IMPF ACT IND 2P PL You were running you were running you were running 1
G5143-08 τρέχετε trechete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL run keep running keep running 1
G5143-10 τρέχωμεν trechomen V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL let us run let us run let us run 1
G5143-07 τρέχει trechei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG she runs he/she/it runs she runs 1
G5143-13 τρέχοντος trechontos V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG runneth of the one running one running 1
G5143-05 ἔτρεχον etrechon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL were running they were running they were running 1

Occurrences in Scripture

20 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5143-01 Matthew 27:48 δραμὼν dramon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG ran having run having run
G5143-03 Matthew 28:8 ἔδραμον edramon V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they ran they ran they ran
G5143-02 Mark 5:6 ἔδραμεν edramen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he ran he ran he ran
G5143-01 Mark 15:36 δραμὼν dramon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG ran having run having run
G5143-01 Luke 15:20 δραμὼν dramon V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG ran having run having run
G5143-02 Luke 24:12 ἔδραμεν edramen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG ran he ran he ran
G5143-07 John 20:2 τρέχει trechei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG she runs he/she/it runs she runs
G5143-05 John 20:4 ἔτρεχον etrechon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL were running they were running they were running
G5143-13 Romans 9:16 τρέχοντος trechontos V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG runneth of the one running one running
G5143-11 1 Corinthians 9:24 τρέχοντες trechontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL run those running those running
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