τρίβος (G5147) — Greek Lexicon

τρίβος

tríbos

G5147 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A worn track, path, or way produced by repeated use or passage. Τρίβος primarily refers to a path or road that is made by the repeated treading of feet, often emphasizing the physical result of heavy use, such as being well-worn or beaten. In extended senses, it can also mean a figurative way or course taken, especially in moral, philosophical, or behavioral contexts.

Semantic Range

worn track, beaten path, course, habitual way, mode of conduct (figurative)

Root / Etymology

From the root τριβ-, which means 'to rub, to wear away by repeated friction, to crush'; related to τρίβω (to rub, to wear), and associated etymologically with words indicating rubbing or crushing. The sense 'path' develops from the idea of ground worn down or made smooth by repeated use.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, τρίβος is generally used for a physically worn path or road, especially one visibly marked by the wear of traffic—foot, cart, or animal. The word carries a strong suggestion of a track made distinct by use, not by construction. In philosophical and metaphorical literature, it could be used of a way of life or habitual conduct, i.e. a manner or mode of acting. In the Septuagint and New Testament, τρίβος appears sparingly, often in the context of prepared or cleared routes (e.g. 'make his paths straight'). English translations typically render it as 'path' or 'way,' but these fail to capture the nuance of repeated use and physical alteration implicit in the Greek. It is distinct from ὁδός, which generally refers to a road, route, or journey in a broader sense, and may indicate a constructed road rather than a worn track. Τρίβος always emphasizes the result of friction and repetition, the track left on the earth.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (to "rub"; akin to , , and the base of τράγος, τραῦμα); a rut or worn track:--path.

Root Family

τρίβος (tribos) — to rub, to wear away, to crush; worn track, beaten path

Root τριβ- to rub, to wear away, to crush

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5147-01`	τρίβους	tribous	`N ACC F PL`	paths	worn tracks	paths	3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5147-01`	Matthew 3:3	τρίβους	tribous	`N ACC F PL`	paths	worn tracks	paths
`G5147-01`	Mark 1:3	τρίβους	tribous	`N ACC F PL`	paths	worn tracks	paths
`G5147-01`	Luke 3:4	τρίβους	tribous	`N ACC F PL`	paths	worn tracks	paths

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