In biblical terms, a "route" refers to a path or course taken by individuals or groups, often under divine guidance or for significant purposes. The concept of a route is frequently encountered in the narratives of the Bible, where it symbolizes both physical journeys and spiritual progressions.

Exodus and the Route of the Israelites

One of the most notable routes in the Bible is the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. This route, often referred to as the Exodus, is a foundational narrative in the Old Testament. Under the leadership of Moses, the Israelites embarked on a divinely guided journey that lasted forty years. The route included significant locations such as the crossing of the Red Sea, Mount Sinai where the Ten Commandments were given, and the wilderness wanderings. The Bible records, "By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night" (Exodus 13:21).

The Route to the Promised Land

The route to the Promised Land was not direct due to the Israelites' disobedience and lack of faith. Instead, God led them through the wilderness to test and prepare them. This journey is emblematic of the spiritual journey of faith, where believers are often led through trials and challenges to reach their ultimate destination. The route taken by the Israelites is detailed in the books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, highlighting both the physical and spiritual aspects of their journey.

The Route of Jesus' Ministry

In the New Testament, the routes taken by Jesus during His ministry are significant. Jesus traveled extensively throughout Galilee, Judea, and Samaria, preaching the Gospel, performing miracles, and teaching His disciples. His routes often took Him to places of great need, demonstrating His compassion and fulfilling prophetic scriptures. For instance, Jesus' journey through Samaria, where He spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well, is a notable route that broke cultural barriers and revealed His mission to all people (John 4:4-26).

Paul's Missionary Journeys

The Apostle Paul's missionary journeys are another example of significant biblical routes. Paul traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire, spreading the Gospel and establishing churches. His routes are documented in the Acts of the Apostles and his epistles, highlighting the strategic and Spirit-led nature of his travels. Paul's journeys took him through Asia Minor, Greece, and eventually to Rome, illustrating the spread of Christianity and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. In Acts 16:6-10, the Bible describes how Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit in choosing his route: "Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia" (Acts 16:6).

Symbolic and Spiritual Routes

Beyond physical journeys, the Bible often uses the concept of a route to describe spiritual paths. Proverbs frequently contrasts the route of the righteous with the path of the wicked, emphasizing moral and spiritual choices. Proverbs 4:18-19 states, "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble" . This metaphorical use of routes underscores the importance of following God's guidance and wisdom in one's life journey.

In summary, routes in the Bible are rich with meaning, encompassing physical journeys, spiritual progressions, and divine guidance. They serve as powerful illustrations of faith, obedience, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout history.(n.) The course or way which is traveled or passed, or is to be passed; a passing; a course; a road or path; a march.5147. tribos -- a beaten track, a path
... 5147 (from , "to rub") -- properly, a rut (path) formed by (constant use);
(figuratively) the "route" established by the Lord, where people can best know Him. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5147.htm - 7k

2720. kateuthuno -- to make straight
... 2720 (from 2596 , ", exactly according to," intensifying 2116 , "make straight") --
properly, go straight by the most direct, efficient route; to go in a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2720.htm - 7k

4200. porismos -- a providing, a means of gain
... livelihood. 4200 (from , "a way, means") -- properly, a way (route) that
brings gain or profit. 4200 () is only used in 1 Tim 6:5,6. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4200.htm - 6k

3938. parodos -- a passing or passage
... passage, way. From para and hodos; a by-road, ie (actively) a route -- way. see
GREEK para. see GREEK hodos. (parodo) -- 1 Occurrence. 3937, 3938. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3938.htm - 6k

3598. hodos -- a way, road
... Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or
distance); figuratively, a mode or means -- journey, (high-)way. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3598.htm - 6k

871. Atharim -- a caravan route in the Negev
... 870, 871. Atharim. 872 . a caravan route in the Negev. Transliteration: Atharim
Phonetic Spelling: (ath-aw-reem') Short Definition: Atharim. ...
/hebrew/871.htm - 6k

7409. rekesh -- steeds
... From rakash; a relay of animals on a post-route (as stored up for that purpose);
by implication, a courser -- dromedary, mule, swift beast. see HEBREW rakash. ...
/hebrew/7409.htm - 6k

Our Deliverance from the Boxers (1900)
... Our usual route was by river boat two weeks to Tientsin, but this way was blocked,
the whole region being infested with Boxers, and Tientsin even then in a ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/v our deliverance from the.htm

Jesus at the Well.
... On the route occurred the memorable conversation with the woman of Sychar. ... Being
already in the north of Judea, he chose the route which led through Samaria. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus at the well.htm

Expedition of Julian into Persia; He was Worsted and Broke
... and fortresses, either through treachery or by battle, and thoughtlessly proceeded
onwards, without reflecting that he would have to return by the same route. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter i expedition of julian into.htm

Chapter l
... Then the course taken by this long funeral train would have been more to the south
than the usual route along the Mediterranean, then past the land of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter l.htm

Catholic Missions
... Spain, jealous of the new south sea route to the East Indies discovered by her rival,
availed herself of the offer of Christopher Columbus to provide a western ...
/.../chapter v catholic missions.htm

The Last Two Decades.
... "He has been laboring many years at this place in connection with the London Missionary
Society. This morning he left us for his native land by a new route. ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/xi the last two decades.htm

Voyage to India.
... Portsmouth with thirty other passengers on the Duke of Buccleugh, a vessel of 650
tons burthen, and landed in Calcutta on January 19, 1839, en route to Benares ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter i voyage to india.htm

Chapter xxxii
... daughters and blessed them. Thereupon Laban went and returned to his place;
whereas Jacob continued along his route. And angels of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxii.htm

Fastening a Tether Inside.
... The circle route is always the shortest. ... Water running out of a bowl through the
hole in the bottom follows the circuitous route"the easiest. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/fastening a tether inside.htm

Divisions among the People. --Christ's Return into Galilee.
... secret" (vii., 10), be explained by supposing that he did not take the usual caravan
road, nor journey with a caravan, but took an unusual route through Samaria ...
/.../section 201 divisions among the.htm

Route (7 Occurrences)
...Route (7 Occurrences). Matthew 2:12 But being forbidden by God in a dream to return
to Herod, they went back to their own country by a different route. ...
/r/route.htm - 8k

Exodus (2 Occurrences)
... Here they were commanded "to turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol
and the sea", ie, to change their route from east to due south. ...
/e/exodus.htm - 82k

Minor (2 Occurrences)
... northern side of the Cilician plain by the pass, easy to traverse and still more
easy to defend, of the Cilician Gates, while another natural route leads from ...
/m/minor.htm - 62k

Asia (22 Occurrences)
... northern side of the Cilician plain by the pass, easy to traverse and still more
easy to defend, of the Cilician Gates, while another natural route leads from ...
/a/asia.htm - 71k

Territory (140 Occurrences)
... At the northwestern corner the Bethhoron pass-part of the northern frontier
line-runs upward from the wide Vale of Ajalon; this route, the most historic of ...
/t/territory.htm - 56k

Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)
... North of el Jib (Gibeon). At intervals along this historic route traces
of the ancient Roman paving are visible. It was the great ...
/b/bethhoron.htm - 30k

Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)
... North of el Jib (Gibeon). At intervals along this historic route traces
of the ancient Roman paving are visible. It was the great ...
/b/beth-horon.htm - 30k

Wanderings (7 Occurrences)
... FIRST JOURNEY 1. Mode of Traveling 2. The Route: the First Camp 3. Waters
of Marah 4. Camp by the Red Sea 5. The Route to Sinai III. ...
/w/wanderings.htm - 40k

Arabah (32 Occurrences)
... enclose the Ghor at the south end, and which are probably what are referred to in
Joshua 15:3 as the "ascent of Akrabbim." The ordinary route, however, leading ...
/a/arabah.htm - 33k

Migdol (6 Occurrences)
... We are specially told that this was not the route taken at the exodus, and this
Migdol cannot therefore be the same as (1), though Brugsch, in consequence of a ...
/m/migdol.htm - 12k

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