In biblical literature, "by-ways" refer to secondary roads or paths that diverge from the main roads or highways. These routes are often less traveled and can symbolize various spiritual and moral themes within the biblical narrative.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Proverbs 2:13-15: The concept of by-ways is metaphorically used to describe the paths of the wicked. The passage warns against those who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, highlighting the moral deviation from righteousness. "From those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perversity of evil, whose paths are crooked and whose ways are devious."

2. Judges 5:6: In the time of Shamgar and Jael, the highways were abandoned, and travelers took to winding paths, or by-ways, due to the oppression and danger from enemies. This reflects a period of social and moral disorder. "In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted, and travelers took the byways."

3. Jeremiah 18:15: The prophet Jeremiah uses the imagery of by-ways to illustrate Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The people have forgotten the ancient paths and have chosen to walk in by-ways, which are not the good way. "Yet My people have forgotten Me. They burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their ways, in the ancient roads, and to walk on byways, not on the highway."

Moral and Spiritual Implications

In the biblical context, by-ways often symbolize a departure from God's ordained path. The main roads or highways represent the way of righteousness and obedience to God's commandments. In contrast, by-ways suggest a deviation that leads to spiritual peril or moral compromise. This imagery serves as a caution against straying from the teachings and guidance of God.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient times, by-ways were less secure and more susceptible to banditry and danger. Travelers on these paths faced greater risks, which can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual dangers of straying from God's path. The use of by-ways in biblical texts often reflects the societal conditions of the time, where political instability or moral decline led to the abandonment of safe and righteous paths.

Application in Christian Life

For Christians, the concept of by-ways serves as a reminder to remain steadfast in faith and to follow the teachings of Christ, who is described as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). It encourages believers to avoid the temptations and distractions that lead away from a life of holiness and devotion to God. The imagery of by-ways calls for vigilance in maintaining one's spiritual journey on the path of righteousness.Only in Judges 5:6 and Psalm 125:5; literally "winding or twisted roads." The margin has "crooked ways."

Love and Service.
... On this, of course, that alongside of the highway of truth run two opposite byways,
one on either side, such byways as men are apt to wander into, even in the ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/xi love and service.htm

The Young Titus
... The citizens clambered down from the wall by Hippicus and, speeding silently but
with moving lips and shining eyes through alleys and byways, came finally to ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter ix the young titus.htm

Lovely to a Poet or an Artist's Eye is the Unevenly-Built and ...
... Rouen in which the Cathedral stands,"lovely, and suggestive of historical romance
in all its remote corners, its oddly-shaped houses, its by-ways and crooked ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/ii lovely to a poet.htm

Of the Words Themselves in General.
... 3. That he is a blind, wandering creature, ready to by-ways and to wander; yea,
he loveth to wander. He goeth astray as soon as he is born, speaking lies. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter ii of the words.htm

The Kingdom of God Conceived as the Inheritance of the Poor.
... His guests shall be the first comers; the people collected from the highways and
byways, the poor, the beggars, and the lame; it matters not who, the room must ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter xi the kingdom of.htm

"The Truth. " Some Generals Proposed.
... Though all other ways, beside him who only is the way and the truth, be false ways
and by-ways, leading us away from the true resting-place, and from that way ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter x the truth some.htm

November was Now Drawing to a Close, and St. ...
... pilgrims cast at your feet!"this Peter's Pence, amounting to millions, whose exact
total you alone know,"and come out into the highways and byways of the ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxvi november was now drawing.htm

Compel them to Come In
... or nothing to say to you this morning; I am going straight to my business"I am going
after those that will not come"those that are in the byways and hedges ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/compel them to come in.htm

Deborah's Song
... Men. In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, In the days of Jael, The highways
were unoccupied, And the travellers walked through byways; The rulers ceased in ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv deborahs song.htm

"Take My Yoke Upon You," &C.
... Come unto me, all ye poor sinners, that are burdened with sin, and wearied with
that burden; you who have tired yourselves in these byways, and laboured ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon viii take my yoke.htm

Byways (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Byways (2 Occurrences). Judges ... unoccupied. The
travelers walked through byways. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY RSV). ...
/b/byways.htm - 7k

By-ways (1 Occurrence)
By-ways. Byways, By-ways. Byword . Easton's Bible Dictionary Only in ...
by-ways. (WBS). Byways, By-ways. Byword . Reference Bible.
/b/by-ways.htm - 6k

Shamgar (2 Occurrences)
... and followed those of Ehud, Israel's subjugation was so complete that "the highways
were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways." The government ...
/s/shamgar.htm - 9k

Byword (14 Occurrences)

/b/byword.htm - 12k

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

Ja'el (6 Occurrences)
... (DBY RSV). Judges 5:6 "In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of
Ja'el, caravans ceased and travelers kept to the byways. (DBY RSV). ...
/j/ja'el.htm - 8k

Winding (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. (See NIV). ...
/w/winding.htm - 8k

Travelers (6 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. ...
/t/travelers.htm - 8k

Travellers (8 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways
were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways. ...
/t/travellers.htm - 8k

Roundabout (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways
ceased, and the travellers walked through byways. (See NAS). ...
/r/roundabout.htm - 7k

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