2487. ichnos

Lexical Summary

ichnos: Footprint, track, trace

Original Word: ἴχνος
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: ichnos
Pronunciation: EE-khnos
Phonetic Spelling: (ikh'-nos)
KJV: step
NASB: steps
Word Origin: [from ikneomai "to arrive"]

1. (figuratively) a track

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

a track, footprint, step

From ikneomai (to arrive; compare heko); a track (figuratively) -- step.

see GREEK heko

HELPS Word-studies

2487 íxnos (from hikneomai, "move forward, arrive") – properly, the impression made by the sole of the foot ("foot-step"); (figuratively) the "footsteps" providing the needed example for others to follow, i.e. to live out "God's persuasions" (His inworkings of faith). Accordingly, faith (4102 /pístis) and "faith-steps" are directly connected in the NT.

Ro 4:12: "And the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps (2487/íxnos) of the (principle of) faith (4102 /pístis) of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised" (NASU).

[Note how the "principle of faith" is signaled by the Greek definite article. This refers to faith operating in a believer's life to reveal and empower God's preferred-will (cf. 2307 /thélēma). The Lord inbirths His persuasions for believers in every scene of life – if they seek Him for it. Compare Ro 10:6-8,17 with Ro 14:23.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
a track
NASB Translation
steps (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2487: ἴχνος

ἴχνος, ἰχνεος (ἴχνους), τό (from ἵκω equivalent to ἱκνέομαι, to go) (from Homer down), a footprint, track, footstep: in the N. T. metaph, of imitating the example of anyone, we find στοιχεῖν τοῖς ἴχνεσι τίνος, Romans 4:12; περιεπατήσαμεν ... τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσι, 2 Corinthians 12:18; ἐπακολούθειν τοῖς ἴχνεσι τίνος, 1 Peter 2:21, (ἐν ἴχνεσι τίνος ἔον πόδα νέμειν, Pindar Nem. 6, 27); cf. Latininsisterevestigiisalicuius.

Topical Lexicon

Visual and Conceptual Background

The word paints the picture of a footprint or track that plainly shows where someone has gone. Scripture turns this ordinary image into a summons to imitate those who have already walked faithfully with God.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Romans 4:12; 2 Corinthians 12:18; 1 Peter 2:21—all in the plural, underscoring a continuous trail rather than a single mark.

“...walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had...” Romans 4:12

“Did we not walk in the same spirit and in the same footsteps?” 2 Corinthians 12:18

“...leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps.” 1 Peter 2:21

Abraham’s Faith as the First Trail

Paul appeals to Abraham to show that justification by faith predates all ritual. Walking in his “footsteps” means embracing a faith that trusts God’s promise apart from works, making Abraham the prototype for every believer, Jew or Gentile.

Apostolic Integrity

When Paul reminds the Corinthians that he and Titus walked in the same “footsteps,” he is laying down a measurable standard for ministry: visible self-denial, financial transparency, and Spirit-directed living. Leaders are to leave prints that others can safely follow.

Christ’s Suffering Example

Peter presents Jesus’ unjust suffering as the ultimate set of footprints. Discipleship is not theoretical admiration but the practical placing of one’s feet inside the marks Christ left—responding to wrong with patience, entrusting oneself to the Father, and pursuing redemptive love.

Old Testament Resonance

Psalm 85:13 speaks of righteousness preparing “the way for His steps,” and Isaiah 51:1 urges Israel to look to their origins. Though ἴχνος itself does not occur in the Septuagint, the theme of walking in God’s revealed path is woven throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.

Historical Usage and Early Church Reflection

Classical authors used the word for animal tracks and stylus strokes. Early Christian writers quickly adopted it: Ignatius exhorted believers to “follow the steps of the Lord,” and Polycarp praised those who kept “the footprints of righteousness.” The term became shorthand for authentic discipleship.

Doctrinal Highlights

1. Footprints imply prior revelation; the believer never forges a new trail.
2. The path is communal—Paul, Titus, and the church share one Spirit and one track.
3. The footprints embody both belief and behavior; orthodoxy and orthopraxy converge.

Pastoral Implications

• Mentoring means letting others watch and replicate one’s walk.
• Sufferers gain hope by tracing Christ’s path from cross to glory.
• Church leaders must leave an audit-able trail of stewardship and holiness.

Related New Testament Motifs

Follow (ἀκολουθέω) John 12:26; Imitate (μιμέομαι) 1 Corinthians 11:1; Walk (περιπατέω) Galatians 5:16—each reinforces the call to patterned obedience signified by ἴχνος.

Enduring Influence

From hymns like “Footsteps of Jesus” to missionary appeals that ask believers to “walk where Jesus walked,” the imagery continues to inspire Christians to step into a venerable, Spirit-marked trail that leads unfailingly to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive purposes.

Forms and Transliterations

ίχνει ίχνεσι ιχνεσιν ίχνεσιν ἴχνεσιν ίχνη ίχνος ίχνους ιχώρα ιχώρος ichnesin íchnesin

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 4:12 N-DNP
GRK: στοιχοῦσιν τοῖς ἴχνεσιν τῆς ἐν
NAS: follow in the steps of the faith
KJV: walk in the steps of that faith
INT: walk in the steps of the during

2 Corinthians 12:18 N-DNP
GRK: τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσιν
NAS: spirit [and walk] in the same steps?
KJV: [walked we] not in the same steps?
INT: in the same steps

1 Peter 2:21 N-DNP
GRK: ἐπακολουθήσητε τοῖς ἴχνεσιν αὐτοῦ
NAS: for you to follow in His steps,
KJV: ye should follow his steps:
INT: you should follow after the steps of him

Strong's Greek 2487
3 Occurrences

ἴχνεσιν — 3 Occ.