In contemporary terms, an "overpass" refers to a bridge or elevated structure that allows one pathway to cross over another, typically used in the context of roadways or railways. While the Bible does not explicitly mention overpasses as understood in modern infrastructure, the concept of crossing over or passing above obstacles can be explored through various biblical themes and narratives.

Biblical Themes and Symbolism

1. Divine Provision and Protection: The idea of an overpass can be metaphorically linked to God's provision and protection, allowing His people to overcome obstacles and challenges. In Isaiah 43:2 , the Lord promises, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you." This passage reflects God's assurance that He will provide a way through difficulties, akin to an overpass that allows safe passage over impediments.

2. Deliverance and Salvation: The crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites is a significant biblical event that parallels the concept of an overpass. In Exodus 14:21-22 , "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left." This miraculous event symbolizes God's deliverance, providing a path where there seemed to be none.

3. Spiritual Elevation: The notion of an overpass can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual elevation and growth. In Isaiah 40:31 , it is written, "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." This verse suggests that reliance on God elevates believers above life's trials, much like an overpass elevates travelers above ground-level obstacles.

4. Faith and Trust: The account of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:29-31 illustrates the concept of overcoming natural limitations through faith. "‘Come,’ said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. ‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’" This narrative emphasizes the importance of faith in transcending earthly challenges, akin to an overpass providing a higher route.

Historical and Cultural Context

While ancient civilizations, including those in biblical times, constructed various forms of bridges and elevated pathways, the specific engineering concept of an overpass as known today did not exist. However, the ingenuity in creating paths over difficult terrain can be seen in the construction of roads and aqueducts by the Romans, who are contemporaneous with the New Testament period. These structures facilitated travel and communication, reflecting the broader biblical theme of making a way where there seems to be none.

Conclusion

The concept of an overpass, while not directly mentioned in the Bible, resonates with numerous biblical themes of divine provision, deliverance, spiritual elevation, and faith. These themes underscore the belief in God's ability to provide pathways through life's challenges, offering believers a means to rise above and continue their journey in faith.1. (v. t.) To go over or beyond; to cross; as, to overpass a river; to overpass limits.

2. (v. t.) To pass over; to omit; to overlook; to disregard.

3. (v. t.) To surpass; to excel.

4. (v. i.) To pass over, away, or off.

OVERPASS

o-ver-pas': A special translation of the very common verb `abhar, "to pass over," found in English Versions of the Bible of Psalm 57:1 and Isaiah 26:20 in the sense "to pass by," and in Jeremiah 5:28 with the meaning "to overflow."

God's Restraining Power.
... controlled in various ways by human intelligence, the Lord sometimes allows
them"though mostly in small and isolated instances"to overpass their ordinary ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xii gods restraining power.htm

From the Ninth Chapter.
... the saints should be filled up. They do not overpass their bounds, because
at the last they shall come with Antichrist. Footnotes: ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the ninth chapter.htm

Gregory Laments his Departure under a Threefold Comparison ...
... Do I not appear to myself to be disobedient [255] in daring thus to overpass the
words of God, when I ought to abide in them, and hold by them? ...
/.../argument xvi gregory laments his departure.htm

The Promise.
... thing was perishing round him, and afterwards in seeing the floods return to their
beds in oceans, lakes, and rivers, which they shall never again overpass. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson i the promise.htm

Baptism.
... [472:2] The account of his martyrdom indicates that he was still in the enjoyment
of a green old age, [472:3] and as very few overpass the term of fourscore ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii baptism.htm

Fragment vi. Since God is Vast, and the Architect of the World...
... For this is the property of the working of God, not merely to proceed to the infinitude
of the understanding, or even to overpass [our] powers of mind, reason ...
/.../fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/fragment vi since god is.htm

2 Cor. xi. 21
... cause a man to be disgraced, they decreed that they should be inflicted, "save one,"
that even if the executioner should exceed, he might not overpass the forty ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxv 2 cor xi.htm

How the Will Being Dead to Itself Lives Entirely in God's Will.
... overpassers, intimating that death amongst men is but a passing over from one life
to another, and that to die is no other thing but to overpass the confines ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii how the will.htm

Psalm 57
... Yea, in the shadow of thy wings. my refuge I will place,. Until these sad calamities.
do wholly overpass. ^2My cry I will cause to ascend. unto the Lord most high ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 57.htm

I Heard once from a Learned Man, that the Motions of the Sun...
... be called a day; if the sun should run his whole round in the space of one hour;
nor that, if, while the sun stood still, so much time should overpass, as the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxiii i heard once.htm

Overpass (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To go over or beyond; to cross; as, to overpass
a river; to overpass limits. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OVERPASS. ...
/o/overpass.htm - 7k

Overnight (6 Occurrences)

/o/overnight.htm - 8k

Overpassed (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Overpass. Multi-Version Concordance
Overpassed (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 5:28 They have been ...
/o/overpassed.htm - 6k

Waxen (12 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 5:28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the
wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they ...
/w/waxen.htm - 10k

Transgress (26 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To overpass a prescribed limit or boundary;
to break a law; to sin. 2. (vt) To offend against; to vex. ...
/t/transgress.htm - 14k

Transgression (70 Occurrences)
... trans-gresh'-un: From "transgress," to pass over or beyond; to overpass, as any
rule prescribed as the limit of duty; to break or violate, as a law, civil or ...
/t/transgression.htm - 29k

Sleek (7 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 5:28 They are waxed fat, they shine: yea, they overpass in deeds of wickedness;
they plead not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may ...
/s/sleek.htm - 8k

Waxed (57 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 5:28 They are waxed fat, they shine: yea, they overpass in deeds of wickedness;
they plead not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may ...
/w/waxed.htm - 23k

Fatherless (44 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 5:28 They are grew fat, they shine: yes, they overpass in deeds of wickedness;
they don't plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may ...
/f/fatherless.htm - 24k

Shine (62 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 5:28 They are grew fat, they shine: yes, they overpass in deeds of wickedness;
they don't plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may ...
/s/shine.htm - 27k

Overpass: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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