In biblical times, the concept of highways, or main roads, played a significant role in the social, economic, and spiritual life of the people. Highways were essential for trade, communication, and travel, facilitating the movement of goods and people across regions. They also held symbolic and prophetic significance in the Scriptures.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, highways are often mentioned in the context of travel and commerce. For instance, the "King's Highway" was a major trade route that extended from Egypt through the Sinai Peninsula and into the Transjordan region. This route is referenced in Numbers 20:17, where the Israelites request passage through Edom: "Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through any field or vineyard or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King's Highway; we will not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory."

Highways also appear in prophetic literature, symbolizing the preparation for the coming of the Lord. Isaiah 40:3-4 speaks of preparing a way for the Lord: "A voice of one calling: 'Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.'" This passage is later echoed in the New Testament, referring to John the Baptist's ministry.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, highways are mentioned in parables and teachings of Jesus. In the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:9-10), Jesus instructs, "Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find." The term "crossroads" can be understood as highways or main roads, indicating the call to invite all people to the kingdom of God.

Highways also serve as a metaphor for the path of righteousness and the journey of faith. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus contrasts the broad road that leads to destruction with the narrow road that leads to life: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Symbolic and Prophetic Significance

Highways in the Bible often symbolize preparation, accessibility, and the removal of obstacles. They represent the way of the Lord and the path of righteousness. In Isaiah 35:8, a prophetic vision describes a "highway of holiness": "And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it, only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it."

The imagery of highways is also used to depict the gathering of God's people and the restoration of Israel. Isaiah 11:16 speaks of a highway for the remnant of God's people: "There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who remain from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt."

Practical and Spiritual Implications

In practical terms, highways facilitated the spread of the Gospel in the early church. The Roman road system allowed apostles and missionaries to travel extensively, spreading the message of Christ throughout the Roman Empire. Spiritually, highways remind believers of the call to prepare their hearts for the Lord, to walk in righteousness, and to invite others to the path of salvation.

Highways in the Bible, therefore, carry both literal and metaphorical meanings, reflecting the physical infrastructure of ancient times and the spiritual journey of faith. They serve as a reminder of God's providence in providing a way for His people and the call to walk in His ways.3598. hodos -- a way, road
... word Definition a way, road NASB Word Usage highways (2), journey (7), path (1),
paths (1), road (24), roads (1), streets (1), way (54), ways (9). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3598.htm - 6k734. orach -- a way, path
... Word Origin from arach Definition a way, path NASB Word Usage caravans (1),
childbearing* (1), course (1), highways (1), path (13), paths (19), traveler (1 ...
/hebrew/734.htm - 6k

4546. mesillah -- a highway
... Word Origin from salal Definition a highway NASB Word Usage courses (1),
highway (17), highways (7), path (1), steps (1). causeway ...
/hebrew/4546.htm - 6k

October 26. "Go Out into the Highways and Compel them to Come In" ...
... OCTOBER 26. "Go out into the highways and compel them to come in" (Luke xiv. 23).
"Go out into the highways and compel them to come in" (Luke 14:23). ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /october 26 go out into.htm

Was it for this He Sent Souls, that Some Should Infest the ...
... Book II. 42 Was it for this He sent souls, that some should infest the
highways and roads? Was it for this He sent souls, that ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/42 was it for this.htm

In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the ...
... 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden
were not worthy.9 Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways, and as ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cviii in reply to the 4.htm

Compel them to Come In
... I FEEL in such a haste to go out and obey this commandment this morning, by compelling
those to come in who are now tarrying in the highways and hedges, that I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/compel them to come in.htm

Two Ways of Despising God's Feast
... & Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden
were not worthy.9. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/two ways of despising gods.htm

The Marriage of the King's Son.
... Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways, and as many as ye shall find,
bid to the marriage feast.' And those servants went out into the highways, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the marriage of the kings.htm

Bishop Gaudentius Said: These Things Wholesomely, Duly, and Fitly ...
... Van Espen follows Zonaras and Balsamon in understanding "Bishops in Canali," as
such as were set on the public roads and public highways, or rather "in cities ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xx bishop gaudentius said .htm

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
... Yes, for seeing they who were first bidden were not worthy to partake of his Dainties,
he orders his Servants to go into the high ways and bid as many as they ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon our call and.htm

Tuesday --The Day of Controversy.
... Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways, and as many as ye shall find,
bid to the marriage feast.' And those servants went out into the highways, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/tuesdaythe day of controversy.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... place we offered no books for sale, but contented ourselves with supplying the
neighbouring villages with the Word of God; we likewise sold it in the highways. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 52.htm

Roads (34 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Judges 5:6 In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath, in the days
of Jael, the highways were not used, and travellers went by side roads. ...
/r/roads.htm - 16k

Travelers (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Travelers (6 Occurrences). Judges 5:6 "In the days of
Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied. ...
/t/travelers.htm - 8k

Benjaminites (32 Occurrences)
... went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and as at other
times they began to smite and kill some of the people, in the highways, one of ...
/b/benjaminites.htm - 16k

Shamgar (2 Occurrences)
... days, which preceded the time of Deborah (Judges 5:6, 7) and followed those of Ehud,
Israel's subjugation was so complete that "the highways were unoccupied ...
/s/shamgar.htm - 9k

Deserted (54 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Judges 5:6 "In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days
of Jael, the highways were unoccupied. The travelers walked through byways. ...
/d/deserted.htm - 22k

Filled (336 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 22:10 Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered
together as many as they found, both bad and good. The ...
/f/filled.htm - 35k

Highways (14 Occurrences)
...Highways (14 Occurrences). ... Matthew 22:10 Those servants went out into the highways,
and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. ...
/h/highways.htm - 10k

High-ways (1 Occurrence)
High-ways. Highways, High-ways. Highway-side . Multi-Version Concordance
High-ways (1 Occurrence). ... (WBS). Highways, High-ways. Highway-side . Reference ...
/h/high-ways.htm - 6k

Flee (187 Occurrences)
... They are struck down before us, as at the first." But the children of Israel said,
"Let us flee, and draw them away from the city to the highways." (WEB KJV ...
/f/flee.htm - 38k

Unoccupied (4 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:6 "In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways
were unoccupied. The travelers walked through byways. (WEB KJV ASV WBS). ...
/u/unoccupied.htm - 7k

What were the chief priests? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Job in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

In what ways was Moses like Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus