Roads

Recognised routes for travellers, or streets in towns and cities. In biblical times travelling by road was recognised as dangerous.

Kinds of road

In the open country

Exodus 13:17–18; Acts 19:1 See also Genesis 16:7; Numbers 20:17; Deuteronomy 1:2; Joshua 10:10–11; Judges 21:19; 1 Samuel 17:52; Isaiah 15:5

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle.

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples

In towns and cities

Acts 9:11 See also Esther 6:9; Jeremiah 37:21

“Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.

Activities associated with roads and streets

Travelling

Judges 5:10; 2 Kings 2:23; Luke 9:57, Luke 10:30–33; Acts 8:36

Talking

Luke 24:32 See also Deuteronomy 6:7; Mark 9:33; Luke 10:4, Luke 13:26

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Waiting

1 Samuel 4:13; 2 Samuel 15:2; 1 Kings 20:38

Helping others

Deuteronomy 22:4, Deuteronomy 27:18; Luke 10:30–33

Leisure and play

Zechariah 8:4–5

This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Old men and old women will again sit along the streets of Jerusalem, each with a staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

Begging

Luke 18:35

As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging.

Living on the streets

Matthew 22:9–10 parallel Luke 14:21–23 See also Job 31:32

Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Prayer

Matthew 6:5

Idolatry

2 Chronicles 28:24; Jeremiah 44:17; Ezekiel 16:25

Injustice and dishonesty

Isaiah 59:14 See also Jeremiah 5:1

So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter.

Dangers of the road

Ezra 8:31 See also 1 Kings 13:24; Ezra 8:22; Ecclesiastes 12:5; Proverbs 22:13; Hosea 7:1; Luke 10:30–33

On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem, and the hand of our God was upon us to protect us from the hands of the enemies and bandits along the way.

Troubled times affecting roads and streets

Psalm 55:11; Nahum 2:4 See also Joshua 2:19; Jeremiah 6:25; Hosea 6:9; Isaiah 5:25, Isaiah 33:7–8, Isaiah 51:20; Amos 5:16

Destruction is within; oppression and deceit never leave the streets.

The chariots dash through the streets; they rush around the plazas, appearing like torches, darting about like lightning.

Roads and streets deserted

Judges 5:6 See also Jeremiah 9:21, Jeremiah 33:10; Lamentations 1:4; Zephaniah 3:6

In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted and the travelers took the byways.

Escape

Jeremiah 48:19

The road back from exile

Isaiah 40:3 See also Isaiah 11:16, Isaiah 35:8, Isaiah 57:14

A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.

Roads used figuratively

Matthew 7:13–14 See also Genesis 49:17; Proverbs 15:19; Isaiah 59:8; Jeremiah 3:2, Jeremiah 18:15, Jeremiah 31:21; Luke 3:5; Revelation 22:2

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Roads of special importance in the NT

The road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13–32

The road to Damascus

Acts 9:3–9, Acts 9:17, Acts 22:6, Acts 26:13