In biblical times, highways were significant routes that facilitated travel, trade, and communication across regions. These roads were often well-trodden paths that connected cities, towns, and villages, playing a crucial role in the social, economic, and military aspects of ancient life. The concept of highways in the Bible is both literal and metaphorical, symbolizing the way of righteousness and the path to God.

Old Testament References

Highways are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament. In the Book of Numbers, highways are described as routes for travel and commerce. When the Israelites requested passage through Edom, they promised, "We will stay on the main road; we will not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory" (Numbers 20:17). This highlights the importance of highways as direct and reliable routes.

In Isaiah, highways take on a prophetic and symbolic meaning. Isaiah 40:3 proclaims, "A voice of one calling: 'Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.'" Here, the highway represents the preparation for the coming of the Lord, emphasizing the need for spiritual readiness and repentance.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues the metaphorical use of highways. In the parable of the wedding banquet, Jesus speaks of sending servants to the highways to invite guests to the feast: "Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find" (Matthew 22:9). This illustrates the inclusive nature of the Gospel invitation, extending to all people regardless of their status or background.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Highways in the Bible often symbolize the path of righteousness and the journey towards God. Proverbs 16:17 states, "The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life" . This verse underscores the moral and ethical dimensions of walking in God's ways, suggesting that the righteous path leads to life and protection.

The imagery of highways also conveys the idea of preparation and readiness for divine intervention. In Isaiah 35:8, the highway is called the "Way of Holiness," where "the unclean will not travel it; only those who walk in that Way will journey there" . This passage emphasizes the purity and sanctity required to walk on God's path.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern culture, highways were essential for the movement of armies, trade caravans, and pilgrims. The Roman Empire, during the New Testament period, was renowned for its extensive network of roads, which facilitated the spread of the Gospel by the apostles and early Christians. The well-maintained Roman roads allowed for relatively safe and efficient travel across vast distances, aiding in the dissemination of Christian teachings.

Conclusion

Highways in the Bible serve as powerful symbols of spiritual journeys, moral choices, and divine preparation. They remind believers of the importance of walking in righteousness and being prepared for the coming of the Lord. Through both literal and metaphorical references, highways illustrate the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual paths in the biblical narrative.Highways

Though during the sway of the Romans over Palestine they made a few substantial roads for their carts and chariots, yet for the most of the time, as today, the Jews had nothing such as we call roads, but only footpaths through which animals walk in single file. These are never cared for, no repairs are made or obstacles removed. This fact brings into striking prominence the figure of repairing a highway for the return Of the captives, or the coming of the great King. On special occasions kings had roads prepared for the progress of their armies, or their own going from place to place. --ED.

3598. hodos -- a way, road
... word Definition a way, road NASB Word Usage highways (2), journey (7), path (1),
paths (1), road (24), roads (1), streets (1), way (54), ways (9). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3598.htm - 6k734. orach -- a way, path
... Word Origin from arach Definition a way, path NASB Word Usage caravans (1),
childbearing* (1), course (1), highways (1), path (13), paths (19), traveler (1 ...
/hebrew/734.htm - 6k

4546. mesillah -- a highway
... Word Origin from salal Definition a highway NASB Word Usage courses (1),
highway (17), highways (7), path (1), steps (1). causeway ...
/hebrew/4546.htm - 6k

October 26. "Go Out into the Highways and Compel them to Come In" ...
... OCTOBER 26. "Go out into the highways and compel them to come in" (Luke xiv. 23).
"Go out into the highways and compel them to come in" (Luke 14:23). ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /october 26 go out into.htm

Was it for this He Sent Souls, that Some Should Infest the ...
... Book II. 42 Was it for this He sent souls, that some should infest the
highways and roads? Was it for this He sent souls, that ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/42 was it for this.htm

In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the ...
... 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden
were not worthy.9 Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways, and as ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cviii in reply to the 4.htm

Compel them to Come In
... I FEEL in such a haste to go out and obey this commandment this morning, by compelling
those to come in who are now tarrying in the highways and hedges, that I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/compel them to come in.htm

Two Ways of Despising God's Feast
... & Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden
were not worthy.9. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/two ways of despising gods.htm

The Marriage of the King's Son.
... Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways, and as many as ye shall find,
bid to the marriage feast.' And those servants went out into the highways, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the marriage of the kings.htm

Bishop Gaudentius Said: These Things Wholesomely, Duly, and Fitly ...
... Van Espen follows Zonaras and Balsamon in understanding "Bishops in Canali," as
such as were set on the public roads and public highways, or rather "in cities ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xx bishop gaudentius said .htm

Tuesday --The Day of Controversy.
... Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways, and as many as ye shall find,
bid to the marriage feast.' And those servants went out into the highways, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/tuesdaythe day of controversy.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... place we offered no books for sale, but contented ourselves with supplying the
neighbouring villages with the Word of God; we likewise sold it in the highways. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 52.htm

It is Indeed Better as no one ever could Deny that Men Should...
... on His servants making answer to Him, "Lord, it is done as Thou hast commanded,
and yet there is room," He said to them, "Go out into the highways and hedges ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 6 21 it.htm

Roads (34 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Judges 5:6 In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath, in the days
of Jael, the highways were not used, and travellers went by side roads. ...
/r/roads.htm - 16k

Travelers (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Travelers (6 Occurrences). Judges 5:6 "In the days of
Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied. ...
/t/travelers.htm - 8k

Benjaminites (32 Occurrences)
... went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and as at other
times they began to smite and kill some of the people, in the highways, one of ...
/b/benjaminites.htm - 16k

Shamgar (2 Occurrences)
... days, which preceded the time of Deborah (Judges 5:6, 7) and followed those of Ehud,
Israel's subjugation was so complete that "the highways were unoccupied ...
/s/shamgar.htm - 9k

Deserted (54 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). 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. ...
/d/deserted.htm - 22k

Filled (336 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 22:10 Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered
together as many as they found, both bad and good. The ...
/f/filled.htm - 35k

Highways (14 Occurrences)
...Highways (14 Occurrences). ... Matthew 22:10 Those servants went out into the highways,
and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. ...
/h/highways.htm - 10k

Flee (187 Occurrences)
... They are struck down before us, as at the first." But the children of Israel said,
"Let us flee, and draw them away from the city to the highways." (WEB KJV ...
/f/flee.htm - 38k

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

Overseer (84 Occurrences)
... A superintendent; a supervisor; as, an overseer of a mill; specifically, one or
certain public officers; as, an overseer of the poor; an overseer of highways. ...
/o/overseer.htm - 32k

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