A wayfarer, in biblical terms, refers to a traveler or someone who journeys on foot. The concept of wayfaring is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, symbolizing both physical and spiritual journeys. The life of a wayfarer is often marked by reliance on God's provision, guidance, and protection.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament:
· In the Old Testament, the Israelites themselves were wayfarers during their exodus from Egypt. Their journey through the wilderness for forty years is a significant example of wayfaring, where they depended on God's guidance and sustenance. Deuteronomy 8:2 states, "Remember that the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands."
· The concept of hospitality towards wayfarers is also emphasized. In Genesis 18, Abraham welcomes three visitors, offering them food and rest, which reflects the cultural and spiritual importance of caring for travelers.

2. New Testament:
· Jesus Himself was a wayfarer during His earthly ministry, traveling from town to town to preach the Gospel. In Matthew 8:20 , Jesus says, "Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head," highlighting His itinerant lifestyle.
· The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) underscores the moral duty to assist those in need, including wayfarers who may be vulnerable to danger and hardship.

Spiritual Symbolism:

· Pilgrimage and Faith: The life of a wayfarer is often used as a metaphor for the Christian journey of faith. Believers are seen as pilgrims on a spiritual journey towards their heavenly home. Hebrews 11:13-16 speaks of the patriarchs as "strangers and exiles on the earth," seeking a better country, a heavenly one.
· Dependence on God: Wayfarers in the Bible exemplify a life of dependence on God for direction and provision. Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," illustrating the guidance God provides to those who seek Him.

Moral and Ethical Implications:

· Hospitality and Compassion: The biblical mandate to care for strangers and travelers is a recurring theme. Hebrews 13:2 advises, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
· Justice and Mercy: The treatment of wayfarers is often a measure of justice and mercy within a community. The Law of Moses includes provisions for the fair treatment of foreigners and travelers, as seen in Leviticus 19:33-34 : "When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You shall treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself."

In summary, the wayfarer in biblical literature serves as a powerful symbol of the human journey, both physical and spiritual, and calls believers to a life of faith, hospitality, and compassion.(n.) One who travels; a traveler; a passenger.3596. hodoiporeo -- to travel
... go on a journey. From a compound of hodos and poreuomai; to be a wayfarer, ie
Travel -- go on a journey. see GREEK hodos. see GREEK poreuomai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3596.htm - 6k732. arach -- to wander, journey, go
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to wander, journey, go NASB Word Usage goes
(1), traveler (1), traveler* (1), wayfarer (1), wayfarers' (1). wayfaring. ...
/hebrew/732.htm - 5k

1982. helek -- traveler
... dropped, traveller. From halak; properly, a journey, ie (by implication) a wayfarer;
also a flowing -- X dropped, traveller. see HEBREW halak. 1981, 1982. ...
/hebrew/1982.htm - 6k

Whether Christ was at once a Wayfarer and a Comprehensor?
... OF THE DEFECTS OF SOUL ASSUMED BY CHRIST (TEN ARTICLES) Whether Christ
was at once a wayfarer and a comprehensor? Objection 1: It ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ was at once.htm

Whether There is Certainty in the Hope of a Wayfarer?
... OF THE SUBJECT OF HOPE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether there is certainty in the hope of
a wayfarer? ... Now many a hopeful wayfarer fails to obtain happiness. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is certainty in.htm

Whether Charity Increases Indefinitely?
... As, therefore, the charity of the blessed is something finite, if the charity of
the wayfarer can increase indefinitely, it would follow that the charity of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether charity increases indefinitely.htm

Whether the Blessed Rejoice in the Punishment of the Wicked?
... Objection 3: Further, that which is blameworthy in a wayfarer has no place
whatever in a comprehensor. Now it is most reprehensible ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the blessed rejoice in.htm

Whether Charity Remains after this Life, in Glory?
... 10, "when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part," ie that which is
imperfect, "shall be done away." Now the charity of the wayfarer is imperfect ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether charity remains after this.htm

Whether Paul, when in Rapture, was Withdrawn from his Senses?
... Objection 2: Further, Christ was truly a wayfarer, and also enjoyed an uninterrupted
vision of the Divine essence, without, however, being withdrawn from His ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether paul when in rapture 2.htm

Whether the Human Action of Christ could be Meritorious to Him?
... Nor did He merit by charity inasmuch as it was the charity of a comprehensor,
but inasmuch as it was that of a wayfarer. For He ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the human action of.htm

Whether in Christ There was the Gift of Prophecy?
... Now Christ before His passion touched our state, inasmuch as He was not merely a
"comprehensor," but a "wayfarer." Hence it was prophetical in Him to know and ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether in christ there was 4.htm

The Traitors
... vengeance.". A figure appeared on the road over the comb of a slight ridge,
and Seti regarded the wayfarer with interest. He was a Hebrew. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxviii the traitors.htm

Whether a Man Can Merit Perseverance
... But the perseverance of the wayfarer is not merited, since it depends entirely
on the moving of God, which is the principle of all merit. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/article nine whether a man.htm

Wayfarer (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who travels; a traveler; a passenger.
Multi-Version Concordance Wayfarer (4 Occurrences). Judges ...
/w/wayfarer.htm - 7k

Way (7551 Occurrences)

/w/way.htm - 15k

Wayfarers (2 Occurrences)

/w/wayfarers.htm - 6k

Passenger (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A passer or passer-by; a wayfarer. 2.
(n.) A traveler by some established conveyance, as a coach ...
/p/passenger.htm - 10k

Pilgrim
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A wayfarer; a wanderer; a traveler; a
stranger. 2. (n.) One who travels far, or in strange lands ...
/p/pilgrim.htm - 7k

Square (94 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV NIV). Judges 19:17 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the wayfarer
in the open square of the city; and the old man said, "Where are you going? ...
/s/square.htm - 39k

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