"a way, road, Mt. 2:12; 7:13, 14; 8:28; 22:9, 10; means of access, approach, entrance, Jn. 14:6; Heb. 9:8; direction, quarter, region, Mt. 4:15; 10:5 the act of journeying, a journey, way, course, Mt. 10:10; Mk. 2:23; 1 Thess. 3:11; a journey, as regards extent, Acts 1:12; met. a ..."
Definition and meaning
a way, road, Mt. 2:12; 7:13, 14; 8:28; 22:9, 10; means of access, approach, entrance, Jn. 14:6; Heb. 9:8; direction, quarter, region, Mt. 4:15; 10:5 the act of journeying, a journey, way, course, Mt. 10:10; Mk. 2:23; 1 Thess. 3:11; a journey, as regards extent, Acts 1:12; met. a way, systematic course of pursuit, Lk. 1:79; Acts 2:28; 16:17; a way, systematic course of action or conduct, Mt. 21:32; Rom. 11:33; 1 Cor. 4:17; a way, system of doctrine, Acts 18:26; ἡ ὁδός, the way of the Christian faith, Acts 19:9, 23, 24:22
In the original Greek the word is written: ὁδός
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of hodos (G3598) across the King James Bible.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
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Common questions
Strong's G3598 (hodos) is a Greek word that means: a way, road, Mt. 2:12; 7:13, 14; 8:28; 22:9, 10; means of access, approach, entrance, Jn. 14:6; Heb. 9:8; direction, quarter, region, Mt. 4:15; 10:5 the act of journeying, a journey, way, course, Mt. ... It appears 96 times in the King James Bible.
The word hodos (G3598) appears 96 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3598 is hodos, a Greek word defined as: a way, road, Mt. 2:12; 7:13, 14; 8:28; 22:9, 10; means of access, approach, entrance, Jn. 14:6; Heb. 9:8; direction, quarter, region, Mt. 4:15; 10:5 t. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hodos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.