A causeway, in biblical terms, refers to a raised road or path, often constructed over wet or low-lying ground. In ancient times, causeways were significant for facilitating travel and trade, especially in regions prone to flooding or marshy conditions. The concept of a causeway is mentioned in the Bible, highlighting its importance in the infrastructure and daily life of ancient civilizations.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Chronicles 26:16, 18 : The term "causeway" is mentioned in the context of the gatekeepers assigned to the temple. "For Shuppim and Hosah it was the West Gate and the gate of Shallecheth on the ascending causeway. Guard corresponded to guard. As for the court to the west, there were four at the road and two at the court." This passage indicates the strategic placement of gatekeepers along the causeway, emphasizing its role as a critical access point to the temple area.

2. 2 Chronicles 9:11 : "The king made the algum wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into harps and lyres for the singers. Nothing like them had ever been seen before in the land of Judah." While the term "causeway" is not directly used here, the construction of steps and pathways using valuable materials like algum wood suggests the importance of well-constructed routes for both religious and royal purposes.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near East, causeways were essential for maintaining connectivity between cities, religious sites, and trade routes. They were often constructed using stones, wood, or packed earth, designed to withstand the elements and provide a reliable path for travelers and merchants. The construction of causeways required significant labor and resources, reflecting the priorities and capabilities of the society.

The mention of causeways in the Bible underscores their role in facilitating worship and governance. The temple in Jerusalem, being a central place of worship, required accessible routes for pilgrims and priests. Similarly, the king's palace needed secure and efficient pathways for administrative and ceremonial functions.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the causeway can symbolize the path to God, representing the journey of faith and the accessibility of divine presence. Just as a causeway provides a stable route through difficult terrain, faith provides believers with a steadfast path through life's challenges. The careful construction and maintenance of these pathways in biblical times can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual discipline required to maintain one's relationship with God.

Archaeological Insights:

Archaeological discoveries have provided insights into the construction and use of causeways in ancient Israel and surrounding regions. Excavations have revealed remnants of ancient roads and pathways, offering a glimpse into the engineering skills and societal organization of the time. These findings help to contextualize the biblical references to causeways, illustrating their practical and symbolic significance in the ancient world.

In summary, the concept of a causeway in the Bible highlights the importance of infrastructure in ancient societies, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. Through its references, the Bible provides insight into the daily life, religious practices, and governance of the people of Israel, while also offering deeper theological reflections on the journey of faith.A raised way, an ascent by steps, or a raised slope between Zion and the temple (1 Chronicles 26:16, 18). In 2 Chronicles 9:11 the same word is translated "terrace." (n.) Alt. of Causey.CAUSEWAY; CAUSEY

koz'-wa, ko'-zi (more correctly): This word occurs in 1 Chronicles 26:16, 18 for the Hebrew mecillah; Septuagint pastophorion tes anabaseos. In 2 Chronicles 9:11 the word is translated "terraces" (Septuagint anabaseis). Compare BDB, under the word, where mecilloth, is an error for mic`adhoth (1 Kings 10:12). In all the above passages reference is made to a series or flight of steps leading up into the temple. The word also signifies a prepared, traveled road, as in Numbers 20:19 Judges 20:31, 45; 1 Samuel 6:12 2 Samuel 20:12; 2 Kings 18:17 (Isaiah 36:2); Isaiah 7:3; Isaiah 11:16; Isaiah 19:23; Isaiah 33:8; Isaiah 40:3; 49:11 Jeremiah 31:21.

Figurative: In Isaiah 59:7 the word (mecillah) occurs in a figurative sense, so also in Judges 5:20 Proverbs 16:17.

W. N. Stearns

4546. mesillah -- a highway
... steps (1). causeway, course, highway, path, terrace. From calal; a thoroughfare
(as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically ...
/hebrew/4546.htm - 6k

A Difficult Crossing
... I asked the ferryman, "Can we ride the causeway?" He said, "Yes, sir, if you keep
in the middle." But this was the difficulty, as the whole causeway was ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/a difficult crossing.htm

Footnotes:
... The principal causeway is faced with oak boards on its two vertical sides.
These are kept in their place by carefully squared oak ...
/.../footnotes .htm

The Faithful Servant
... They saw the old man mount by the causeway of earth which the Romans had built over
the siege wall for the passage of the troops, saw him an instant outlined ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xxi the faithful servant.htm

Apparitions on Occasion of the Death of Jesus.
... Great changes took place, particularly at the south-eastern extremity, near Tarichea,
because in this part there was a long causeway made of stones, between ...
/.../chapter lvi apparitions on occasion.htm

Kedron
... "A deep bottom, called Kedron, bounds the mount of Olives, which lies against the
city eastward." "They built a foot-causeway, or a foot-bridge, upheld with ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 38 kedron.htm

Greek and Jew
... The high broad street upon which the giant causeway terminated was marked by the
solemn cenotaphs of Mariamne and Phaselis and ended against the Tower of ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter viii greek and jew.htm

Imperial Caesar
... Along the splendid causeway the Passover pilgrims fared, men afoot, men on camels,
families and solitary travelers; the poor, the once rich, the humble and the ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter vii imperial caesar.htm

The Schoolboy of Madaura
... This one lay along the military road which ran from Hippo to Theveste"a great Roman
causeway paved with large flags on the outskirts of towns, and carefully ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/v the schoolboy of madaura.htm

How a Man's Conduct Comes Home to Him
... but by some means they are, first of all, hindered, and slacken their pace; after
that they linger and loiter, and leave the crown of the causeway for the side ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/how a mans conduct comes.htm

Alexander.
... While Darius fled away, Alexander came south to Palestine, and laid siege to Tyre
upon the little isle, to which he began to build a causeway across the water. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xv alexander.htm

Causeway (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) Alt. of Causey. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CAUSEWAY; CAUSEY. ... WN Stearns. Multi-Version Concordance Causeway (2 Occurrences ...
/c/causeway.htm - 9k

Shallecheth (1 Occurrence)
... Ie, "the gate of casting out," hence supposed to be the refuse gate; one of the
gates of the house of the Lord, "by the causeway of the going up" ie, the ...
/s/shallecheth.htm - 7k

Parbar (1 Occurrence)
... 23:11); Septuagint pharoureim): In 1 Chronicles 26:18 reference is made to the position
of the gatekeepers, "for Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two ...
/p/parbar.htm - 8k

Causey (1 Occurrence)
... dry passage over wet or marshy ground. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CAUSEWAY; CAUSEY. koz'-wa, ko'-zi (more correctly): This ...
/c/causey.htm - 8k

Westward (35 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 26:16 To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the gate of Shallecheth, at
the causeway that goes up, watch against watch. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/w/westward.htm - 19k

Tyre (59 Occurrences)
... He had no fleet and was obliged to build a mole (causeway) from the mainland to
the island, but before he could finish it the Tyrians destroyed it and beat ...
/t/tyre.htm - 45k

West (110 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 26:16 To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the gate of Shallecheth,
at the causeway that goes up, watch against watch. ...
/w/west.htm - 42k

Precinct (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Precinct (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 26:18 For Parbar
westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar. (See JPS). ...
/p/precinct.htm - 7k

Portico (37 Occurrences)
... thereof Boaz. (See NIV). 1 Chronicles 26:18 At the portico westward, four
at the causeway, two at the portico. (DBY). 1 Chronicles ...
/p/portico.htm - 19k

Corresponded (1 Occurrence)
... Corresponded (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 26:16 To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by
the gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goes up, watch against watch. ...
/c/corresponded.htm - 6k

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