highways Summary and Overview

Though during the sway of the Romans over Israel 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.

HIGH'WAYS . At the present time there are no roads in Palestine except the remains of those the Romans made. But inasmuch as the ancient Jews used carts and chariots, there must have been roads in that day. Gen 45:19-20; Josh 17:16; Jud 4:13; 2 Kgs 10:16; Acts 8:28. The highways or more frequented tracks are distinguished from the hedges or the narrow paths between the hedges of a vineyard by our Lord in the familiar parable of the Marriage-supper, Luke 14:23. See Hedge, Field.