Travelling in biblical times was a significant aspect of life, often undertaken for various reasons such as trade, pilgrimage, exile, or divine mission. The Bible provides numerous accounts of journeys that hold spiritual and historical significance, reflecting the cultural and religious contexts of the times.

Old Testament Journeys

1. Abraham's Journey: One of the earliest accounts of travel in the Bible is that of Abraham, who was called by God to leave his homeland. Genesis 12:1-4 states, "Then the LORD said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.'” Abraham's journey from Ur to Canaan is foundational, symbolizing obedience and faith.

2. The Exodus: The Israelites' exodus from Egypt is a pivotal event, marking their journey from slavery to freedom. Exodus 13:21 describes, "And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night." This journey, led by Moses, is central to Jewish identity and faith.

3. The Wilderness Wanderings: Following the Exodus, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Numbers 14:33 recounts, "Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years and suffer for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness." This period was one of testing and preparation for entering the Promised Land.

New Testament Journeys

1. The Travels of Jesus: Jesus' ministry involved extensive travel throughout Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. Matthew 9:35 notes, "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness." His travels were integral to spreading His message and performing miracles.

2. The Apostolic Missions: The Acts of the Apostles details the missionary journeys of Paul and other apostles. Acts 13:2-3 records, "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off." These journeys were crucial for the establishment of early Christian communities.

3. Paul's Shipwreck: One of the most dramatic travel narratives is Paul's shipwreck on his way to Rome. Acts 27:22 states, "But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not a single one of you will be lost, only the ship will be destroyed." This event highlights themes of divine providence and perseverance.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

Travelling in biblical times was fraught with challenges, including harsh terrains, bandits, and the need for hospitality. The Bible often portrays travel as a metaphor for spiritual journeys, reflecting themes of faith, obedience, and divine guidance. Psalm 121:8 offers assurance, "The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore."

Hospitality and Pilgrimage

Hospitality was a vital aspect of travel in biblical culture. Hebrews 13:2 advises, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Pilgrimages to Jerusalem for feasts and festivals were also significant, as seen in Luke 2:41 , "Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover."

Travelling in the Bible is not merely a physical act but often a journey of faith, transformation, and divine encounter. The narratives of travel underscore the importance of trust in God's promises and the fulfillment of His purposes through the movement of His people.(vb. n.) of Travel.4097. piprasko -- to sell
... o); (which occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses) contracted from perao
(to traverse; from the base of peran); to traffic (by travelling), ie Dispose ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4097.htm - 7k

3180. methodeia -- craft, deceit
... scheming, trickery. From a compound of meta and hodeuo (compare "method"); travelling
over, ie Travesty (trickery) -- wile, lie in wait. see GREEK meta. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3180.htm - 7k

2136. Euodia -- perhaps "success," Euodia, a Christian at Philippi
... Euodias. From the same as euodoo; fine travelling; Euodia, a Christian woman --
Euodias. see GREEK euodoo. (euodian) -- 1 Occurrence. 2135, 2136. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2136.htm - 6k

6808. tsaah -- to stoop, bend, incline
... captive exile, travelling, cause to wanderer. A primitive root; to tip over
(for the purpose of spilling or pouring out), ie (figuratively ...
/hebrew/6808.htm - 6k

3219. yalqut -- receptacle, perhaps a wallet
... a travelling pouch. From laqat; a travelling pouch (as if for gleanings):-scrip.
see HEBREW laqat. 3218, 3219. yalqut. 3220 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3219.htm - 6k

736. orechah -- a traveling company, caravan
... traveling company. Feminine active participle of 'arach; a caravan -- (travelling)
company. see HEBREW 'arach. 735, 736. orechah. 737 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/736.htm - 6k

7400. rakil -- slander
... slander, carry tales, talebearer. From rakal a scandal-monger (as travelling about) --
slander, carry tales, talebearer. see HEBREW rakal. 7399, 7400. ...
/hebrew/7400.htm - 6k

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... Chapter 4 Travelling in Palestine"Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House
Officers, Taxation, Publicans. It was the very busiest ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

When travelling lately through the Simplon
... I. When travelling lately through the Simplon. When travelling lately through
the Simplon"one of the great Alpine passes leading ...
/.../the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/i when travelling lately through.htm

Concerning the Non-Frequenting of Taverns by the Clergy, Except ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XL. (Greek xliii.) Concerning the
non-frequenting of taverns by the clergy, except when travelling. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xl greek xliii concerning.htm

Letter cxcviii. To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata.
... despatched to me later. I have not sent many myself, for I have not found
any one travelling in your direction. But I have sent ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxcviii to eusebius bishop.htm

John Wesley.
... He was perpetually travelling and preaching, studying and writing, translating and
abridging, superintending his societies, and applying his great plans. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/john wesley.htm

Return to Benares.
... As our children were young, and travelling by land was both fatiguing and
expensive, we hired a budgerow and sailed down the Ganges. ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xv return to benares.htm

A Confirmation of what Hath Been Said, Particularly of the ...
... of what hath been said, particularly of the necessity of a strong resolution and
courage to persevere, shown by the parable of a pilgrim travelling to Jerusalem ...
/.../chapter vi a confirmation of.htm

Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets.
... scarcely any parallel to this chapter, which points to an earlier period, when
ecclesiastical polity was less developed, and the travelling "Apostles" and ...
/.../the teaching of the twelve apostles/chapter xi name teachers apostles.htm

Life in the Villages
... Our travelling paraphernalia was simple, luggage being limited to the amount
that a small donkey could carry in addition to a rider. ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter v life in the.htm

Changed Conditions
... Those precious documents which enabled us to return to our work were eagerly received,
and we lost no time travelling over the familiar ground. ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xx changed conditions.htm

Travelling (17 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Travelling (17 Occurrences). ... (KJV). Luke 2:44 but supposing
Him to be in the travelling company, they proceeded a day's journey. ...
/t/travelling.htm - 11k

Dedanim (1 Occurrence)
... They are mentioned in Isaiah 21:13 as sending out "travelling companies" which lodged
"in the forest of Arabia." They are enumerated also by Ezekiel (27:20 ...
/d/dedanim.htm - 7k

Cloak (73 Occurrences)
... The cloak which Paul "left at Troas" (2 Timothy 4:13) was the Roman paenula, a thick
upper garment used chiefly in travelling as a protection from the weather. ...
/c/cloak.htm - 30k

Travels (10 Occurrences)

/t/travels.htm - 9k

Kenites (8 Occurrences)
... were the same tribe. They were wandering smiths, "the gipsies and travelling
tinkers of the old Oriental world. They formed an important ...
/k/kenites.htm - 13k

Night's (13 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Isaiah 21:13 The word about Arabia. In the thick woods of Arabia will be
your night's resting-place, O travelling bands of Dedanites! (BBE). ...
/n/night's.htm - 10k

Watchings (3 Occurrences)
... (2 Corinthians 6:5), lit. "sleeplessnesses," the result of "manual labour, teaching,
travelling, meditating, praying, cares, and the like" (Meyer's Com.). ...
/w/watchings.htm - 7k

Frequent (10 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:26 I have served Him by frequent travelling, amid dangers in crossing
rivers, dangers from robbers; dangers from my own countrymen, dangers ...
/f/frequent.htm - 11k

Travelleth (2 Occurrences)

/t/travelleth.htm - 6k

Engaged (31 Occurrences)
... Acts 26:12 "While thus engaged, I was travelling one day to Damascus armed with
authority and a commission from the High Priests, (WEY DBY NAS). ...
/e/engaged.htm - 15k

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