Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

HIGHWAY

A generally lengthy and well-maintained thoroughfare (Heb. mĕsillâ), in contrast to a “way” (dereḵ, šĕḇîl), which can range from a beaten path to a small road. References to highways in the OT include the route taken by the cows transporting the ark toward Beth-shemesh (1 Sam. 6:12) and allusions to the construction or maintenance of important roads (Isa. 40:3; 49:11; 62:10).

Highways were lifelines between the great empires of Egypt and Mesopotamia, linking Africa and Asia. Between them lay Palestine as a land bridge. Armies, merchants, and pilgrims depended on stable and well-known routes of transportation. The movement of people and goods along highways of ancient Israel was constant (Prov. 9:13-15; Lam. 2:15). The control of highways or their destruction in time of war had serious ramifications. Hence, Isa. 40:3-4 describes prosperous times in terms of smooth passage along highways.

Common routes often began as footpaths trampled by the constant passage of people and animals. An average day’s travel was ca. 32 km. (20 mi.) on foot, with weather and terrain as contributing factors. Obviously, highways were constructed in relation to natural terrain such as mountain passes, valleys, lakes, and rivers, as well as the key towns and cities along the way. Major highways cited in the OT include the King’s Highway (Num. 20:17; 21:22), also known in different periods as the Sultan’s Highway and Trajan’s Highway, and the Great Trunk Road, running from Egypt to Mesopotamia via the Fertile Crescent (Exod. 13:17; Isa. 9:1[MT 8:23]).

During the Roman period, advances in engineering marked improvements in the construction and maintenance of highways. Roman roads were layered and provided for drainage. The military, commerce, and public transport all benefited from these new methods. As in modern times, the great enemy of roads was winter weather. Annual efforts were organized to repair highways after the rainy season.

Bibliography. D. A. Dorsey, The Roads and Highways of Ancient Israel (Baltimore, 1991); J. J. Pilch, “Travel in the Ancient World,” TBT 32 (1994): 100-107.

J. Edward Owens

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

HIGHWAY

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)