FROM SMITH’S BIBLE DICTIONARY (1884)

Smith’s Bible Dictionary (1884) — public domain, printed whole.

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.

THE TOPICAL BIBLE — from Nave’s Topical Bible

Nave’s Topical Bible — public domain, printed whole.

→ FIGURATIVE Pr 16:17; Isa 11:16; 35:8-10; 40:3,4; Mt 3:3; 7:13,14

See ROADS

See WAY

FROM TORREY’S TOPICAL TEXTBOOK (1897)

Torrey’s Topical Textbook (1897) — public domain, printed whole.

- Roads for public use

Nu 20:19; De 2:27

- Called the king's highway

Nu 20:17

- Marked out by heaps of stones

Jer 31:21

- Generally broad

Jud 20:32,45; Mt 7:13

- Generally straight

1Sa 6:12; Isa 40:3

- Made to all cities of refuge

De 19:2,3

- Often made in deserts

Isa 40:3

- INFESTED WITH

. Serpents

Ge 49:17

. Wild beasts

1Ki 13:24; Isa 35:9

. Robbers

Jer 3:2; Lu 10:30-33

- Beggars sat by sides of

Mt 20:30; Mr 10:46

- Often obstructed

Jer 18:15

- All obstructions removed from, before persons of distinction

Isa 40:3,4; Mt 3:3

- By-paths more secure in times of danger

Jud 5:6

- Desolation of, threatened as a punishment

Le 26:22; Isa 33:8

- ILLUSTRATIVE

. Of Christ

Joh 14:6

. Of the way of holiness

Isa 35:8

. Of facilities for the restoration of the Jews

Isa 11:16; 62:10

. (Made in the deserts,) of facilities for the spread of the

gospel

Isa 40:3; 43:19

. (Narrow,) of the way of life

Mt 7:14

. (Broad,) of the way to destruction

Mt 7:13