Roads: Public Highways
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In biblical times, roads and public highways played a crucial role in the movement of people, goods, and armies across the ancient Near East. The development and maintenance of these roads were essential for trade, communication, and the spread of ideas, including the message of the Gospel.

Historical Context

The ancient world saw the development of various road systems, with the Roman Empire being particularly renowned for its extensive and well-constructed network of roads. These roads facilitated the rapid movement of Roman legions and the efficient administration of the empire. In the context of the Bible, roads connected major cities and regions, enabling the spread of commerce and culture.

Biblical References

The Bible contains several references to roads and highways, often highlighting their importance in God's plans and the lives of His people. In Isaiah 40:3, the prophet speaks of preparing the 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.'" This passage metaphorically uses the imagery of road construction to describe the preparation for the coming of the Lord.

In the New Testament, roads are significant in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus often traveled from town to town, teaching and performing miracles. The roads facilitated His journeys, as seen in passages like Matthew 4:23, where Jesus "went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people."

The Apostle Paul also relied on the Roman road system for his missionary journeys. In Acts 9:2, Paul is described as seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus, indicating his intention to travel along the road to Damascus, where he famously encountered the risen Christ.

Symbolic and Prophetic Significance

Roads in the Bible often carry symbolic and prophetic meanings. They can represent the path of righteousness or the way of the wicked. Proverbs 4:26-27 advises, "Make a level path for your feet; take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil." Here, the road symbolizes the moral and spiritual journey of life, urging believers to stay on the path of righteousness.

In prophetic literature, roads are sometimes depicted as instruments of divine judgment or restoration. Isaiah 35:8-10 speaks of a "highway of holiness" where the redeemed will walk, free from danger and sorrow, symbolizing the ultimate restoration and redemption of God's people.

Cultural and Practical Aspects

In the ancient Near East, roads varied in quality and construction. Major highways were often paved with stones and maintained by the state, while smaller roads might be simple dirt paths. The Roman roads, known for their durability, were constructed with multiple layers, including stones, gravel, and sand, providing a stable surface for travel.

Travelers on these roads faced various challenges, including bandits, harsh weather, and the need for provisions. Inns and way stations provided rest and supplies for those on long journeys. The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37 highlights the dangers of travel, as a man is attacked by robbers on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho.

Conclusion

Roads and public highways in the Bible are more than mere physical pathways; they are integral to the narrative of God's interaction with humanity. They serve as conduits for divine encounters, the spread of the Gospel, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Through the imagery of roads, the Bible communicates themes of preparation, journey, and the pursuit of righteousness.
Nave's Topical Index
Deuteronomy 2:27
Let me pass through your land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn to the right hand nor to the left.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... public baths, the support of the poor, the maintenance of public roads, city walls ...
duty on all imports and exports, levied on the great public highways and in ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.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

The Royal Marriage Feast.
... "Go ye therefore into the highways,""the public places of resort, as well the city's
streets as the roads that traverse the country,""and as many as ye ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xii the royal marriage feast.htm

Women of the Frankish Church
... authority; she took a practical interest in the public works, highways, bridges,
monuments, and the progress of material civilization; the Roman roads in a ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/viii women of the frankish.htm

The Colliers of Kingswood
... thousands who resorted to no place of public worship, he ... called away others went
into the highways and hedges ... wood, between the London and Bath roads, not far ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the colliers of kingswood.htm

The Work Awaiting the Worker
... A public reason may have been that he was too ... They pierced the countries with roads,
which connected them ... Along these highways the message of the gospel ran. ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter v the work awaiting.htm

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic ...
... him become an administrator for the congregation, or a public distributor of ... such
as on axles, wheels, pack-animals, pedestrians, roads, highways; on admission ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii the call of.htm

Introduction
... the glad tidings East, West, North and South, along the highways and byeways ... "We
want a public man who ... Let us, in His company, walk once more the roads of Judea ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jackson/the message and the man/introduction.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... Bond, he urged his way through rough roads, swamps, and ... just reached our shores through
the public papers, and ... were still visible along the highways and fields ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... throughout the country he took in hand public works which ... owing to the civil wars:
the highways were repaired ... a litter, as there were no roads practicable for ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Resources
What was the significance of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples? | GotQuestions.org

Why does God require faith? Why doesn't God "prove" Himself to us so there is no need for faith? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Didache? | GotQuestions.org

Roads: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Roads

Roads: Built by Rulers

Roads: from Beth-El to Shechem

Roads: from Gibeon to Beth-Horon

Roads: from Judaea to Galilee, by Way of Samaria

Roads: Public Highways

Roads: To Cities of Refuge

Roads: To the House of God

Related Terms

Cross-roads (2 Occurrences)

Side-roads (1 Occurrence)

Settle (63 Occurrences)

Waste (668 Occurrences)

Pisidia (2 Occurrences)

Foot (193 Occurrences)

Cart (12 Occurrences)

Concourse (4 Occurrences)

Crossroads (3 Occurrences)

Antioch (21 Occurrences)

Roadside (9 Occurrences)

Side-posts (7 Occurrences)

Side-rooms (7 Occurrences)

Territory (140 Occurrences)

Perfumes (69 Occurrences)

Minor (2 Occurrences)

Asia (22 Occurrences)

Quail (5 Occurrences)

Narrow (21 Occurrences)

North (164 Occurrences)

Unfamiliar (1 Occurrence)

Overhanging (6 Occurrences)

Open (586 Occurrences)

Journey (214 Occurrences)

Levelled (5 Occurrences)

Improvement (2 Occurrences)

Fields (199 Occurrences)

Taverns (1 Occurrence)

Tabernacles (43 Occurrences)

Tunnel (2 Occurrences)

Road (155 Occurrences)

Roadmarks (1 Occurrence)

Reduce (13 Occurrences)

Rob (27 Occurrences)

Ravine (26 Occurrences)

Ramathmizpeh (1 Occurrence)

Rugged (7 Occurrences)

Ramath-mizpeh (1 Occurrence)

Deep (237 Occurrences)

Doorways (26 Occurrences)

Design (84 Occurrences)

Debir (12 Occurrences)

Day's (19 Occurrences)

Meeting (323 Occurrences)

Metal (69 Occurrences)

Portals (2 Occurrences)

Pioneer (2 Occurrences)

Philip (37 Occurrences)

Pamphylia (6 Occurrences)

Byways (2 Occurrences)

Barefoot (7 Occurrences)

Barak (14 Occurrences)

Bride-feast (4 Occurrences)

Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)

By-ways (1 Occurrence)

Banqueting (6 Occurrences)

Bowmen (13 Occurrences)

Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)

Bethsaida (7 Occurrences)

Crossing (26 Occurrences)

Chaldea (8 Occurrences)

Crossway (2 Occurrences)

Approach (56 Occurrences)

Sea (4178 Occurrences)

Salchah (1 Occurrence)

Survey (6 Occurrences)

Salcah (4 Occurrences)

Salecah (4 Occurrences)

Horonaim (5 Occurrences)

Hedge-rows (1 Occurrence)

Places (610 Occurrences)

Country

Moab (162 Occurrences)

Gadara

Enrogel (4 Occurrences)

En-rogel (4 Occurrences)

Mountain (298 Occurrences)

Esdraelon

Roads: from Judaea to Galilee, by Way of Samaria
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