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ὁδηγός

hodēgós

G3595 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who leads or shows the way, a guide (either literally, as someone who leads others on a road or journey, or figuratively, as someone providing instruction, direction, or moral guidance). The primary sense is a leader or director who shows the way, with extended senses of an instructive teacher or mentor.

Semantic Range

leader (on a journey), travel guide, instructor, one who leads or directs, mentor, advisor, moral or spiritual guide

Root / Etymology

Compound of ὁδός ('road, way, path') and ἡγέομαι ('to lead'). The term literally means 'way-leader' or 'one who leads the way.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὁδηγός primarily denoted a literal guide—someone who leads travelers along a road or through unfamiliar territory. By the Hellenistic period and in Koine Greek (including the Septuagint and New Testament), the core literal meaning remained, but the figurative sense expanded and became prominent, especially for someone giving instruction or direction in moral, social, or religious contexts (e.g., a teacher, mentor, or authoritative guide). The word appears in the New Testament, often with a nuance of moral or spiritual leadership, as in 'guide of the blind' (Romans 2:19), highlighting both practical and metaphorical senses. In contrast to more general terms like διδάσκαλος ('teacher'), ὁδηγός emphasizes the act of showing or leading the way, not merely imparting knowledge. English translations frequently render the term as 'guide' or 'leader,' but may lose the vividness of the imagery of actively leading others along a path.

Translation Consistency

primary "guide" 2 occurrences

'Guide' best matches ὁδηγός as both a literal leader on a road and a figurative instructor or mentor. It is the most natural, commonly attested English equivalent (and aligns with the P2 renderings), and covers the full SILEX range without awkward hyphenation.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"way-guides" (3x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὁδός and ἡγέομαι; a conductor (literally or figuratively (teacher)):--guide, leader.

Root Family

ὁδηγός (hodēgos) — to lead, to show the way, to guide

Root ὁδ-ἡγ- to lead, to show the way, to guide

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3595-01 ὁδηγοί odegoi N NOM M PL guides way-guides way-guides 3
G3595-02 ὁδηγὸν odegon N ACC M SG a guide a way-leader a guide 1
G3595-03 ὁδηγοῦ odegou N GEN M SG guide of a way-leader guide 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3595-01 Matthew 15:14 ὁδηγοί odegoi N NOM M PL guides way-guides way-guides
G3595-01 Matthew 23:16 ὁδηγοὶ odegoi N VOC M PL guides way-guides way-guides
G3595-01 Matthew 23:24 ὁδηγοὶ odegoi N VOC M PL guides way-guides way-guides
G3595-03 Acts 1:16 ὁδηγοῦ odegou N GEN M SG guide of a way-leader guide
G3595-02 Romans 2:19 ὁδηγὸν odegon N ACC M SG a guide a way-leader a guide
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