Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5505 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

In towns and cities

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

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

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

Begging

Luke 18:35

Living on the streets

Matthew 22:9-10 pp Luke 14:21-23 See also Job 31:32

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

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

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

Roads and streets deserted

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

Escape

Jeremiah 48:19

The road back from exile

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

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

Roads of special importance in the NT

The road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-32

The road to Damascus

Acts 9:3-9,17; Acts 22:6; Acts 26:13

See also

5197  walking
5256  city
5263  communication
5336  highway
5586  town
5590  travel
5828  danger
8168  way, the