Greek word · G2487

ἴχνος

ichnos

track

A footprint or track, the mark a foot leaves on the ground. By extension, the trail or example someone leaves to follow.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἴχνος, -εος (-ους), τό

[in LXX for כַּף, etc. ;]

a track, footstep: metaphorically (as frequently in cl.), στοιχεῖν τοῖς ἴ., Romans 4:12; περιπατεῖν τοῖς ἴ., 2 Corinthians 12:18; ἐπακολουθεῖν τοῖς ἴ., 1 Peter 2:21 (cf. MM, Exp., xv).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Romans 4:12

Range of meaning

A footprint or track, the mark a foot leaves on the ground. By extension, the trail or example someone leaves to follow.

Against the English

'Steps' (KJV, WEB, YLT) is slightly flatter than 'footsteps' or 'footprints' (BSB, NIV, ESV). The Greek is the visible print left behind.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament, 2 Cor 12:18 ('did we not walk in the same steps?') and 1 Pet 2:21 ('leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps'). The LXX uses it for literal tracks (e.g. Song 1:8, 'the tracks of the flock').

From the study of 1 Peter 2:21

Range of meaning

Footprint, track, trail; then a trace or sign left behind. Used of the tracks of people and animals that someone can follow.

Against the English

"Steps" (KJV, WEB, YLT) can sound like stages in a process ("five steps to…"). "Footsteps" (BSB) is closer: actual prints on the ground.

How it drifted

"Steps" in modern English often means procedural stages, which pulls the image away from footprints.

Used elsewhere in the period

Elsewhere in the NT: Romans 4:12 ("walk in the footsteps of the faith of our father Abraham") and 2 Corinthians 12:18 ("did we not walk in the same steps?"). In wider Greek it is the ordinary word for tracks, including hunters' trails.

Where it appears

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 4:12 ἴχνεσιν steps

    And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

    Here: Literal footprints left on a path. Abraham went ahead and left tracks, and his true children set their feet where his went.

2 Corinthians · 1

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:18 ἴχνεσιν;¶ steps?

    I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?

1 Peter · 1

  1. 1 Peter 2:21 ἴχνεσιν steps

    For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:

    Here: Actual footprints or tracks left on a path. The picture is of a trail you can see and step into, not a vague direction.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.