Highway

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Highway —In the parable ( Matthew 22:9) where the invited guests all made excuse, the king sent his servants out ἐπὶ τὰς διεξόδους τῶν ὁδῶν, ‘into the highways’ (Authorized Version), to gather as many as they could find, and bid them to the feast. The Gr. phrase means literally ‘the partings of the highways’ (so Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885), exitus viarum (Vulgate). This is the only occurrence of διἕξοδοι in the NT, and it is impossible to determine with certainty what is meant by the expression. It may signify either the roads leading out of the town into the country, or the crossings of such, or the streets leading into the open spaces or square in front of the town. The idea is clear—where men both good and bad, Jew and Gentile, are most likely to be found. God’s purpose cannot be frustrated; and if the invited guests neglect the call, then others who have hitherto been looked down upon will take their place. The invitation is to all and sundry, which leads Whedon to say, ‘The good are not too good to need the gospel, nor the bad so bad as to have no hope if they will accept it.’ It was the poor, the outcast, the hopeless that were to be found on the highways: blind Bartimaeus ( Mark 10:46) shouting, ‘Have mercy on me,’ and such as the lepers who stood afar off ( Luke 17:13) uttering the same miserable cry. See, further, art. Roads.

R. Leggat.

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Proverbs 16:17 (a) This describes the path of uprightness and godliness in which the people of the Lord will walk. (See also  Isaiah 35:8).

 Isaiah 40:3 (a) By this figure we understand that GOD's people should and will make it easy for GOD to work among the people. By their ministry and example they will prepare the hearts of the people to hear GOD's Word, and to talk with Him. (See also  Isaiah 62:10;  Jeremiah 31:21).

 Matthew 22:9 (a) This probably refers to the prominent places in the city or country which are easy to reach, and where there are many people to whom the invitation may be given. (See also  Luke 14:23).

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Isaiah 62:10 Proverbs 15:19  Isaiah 11:16  Isaiah 35:10  Isaiah 40:3Transportation And TravelPalestine

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Isaiah 11:16 35:8 40:3 62:10

During their possession of Palestine the Romans constructed several important highways, as they did in all countries which they ruled.

King James Dictionary

HIGHWA'Y, n. A public road a way open to all passengers so called, either because it is a great or public road, or because the earth was raised to form a dry path. Highways open a communication from one city or town to another.

1. Course road train of action.

Webster's Dictionary

(n.) A road or way open to the use of the public; a main road or thoroughfare.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(usually מְסַלָּה , Mesillah', or [ Isaiah 35:8] מִסְלוּל , meslul', a raised road, (See Causeway) for public use; elsewhere simply אֹרִח , O'Rach, A Path. or דֶּרֶךְ , De'Rek, Ὁδός , a "Way" in general; once [ Amos 5:16] חוּוֹ , chuts, outside). Travelers have frequently noticed the lack of roads in Palestine. Travel and transport being all performed on the backs of beasts of burden, which usually move in single file, the most important routes are only marked by narrow winding paths; and the soil is often so hard as to take no impression from the feet of animals, so that the eye of an unpracticed traveler there perceives, even upon a common thoroughfare, no evidence that others have passed along the same way. No repairs are ever made, no labor employed to remove obstacles. — Bastow. Hence the striking character of the figure by which the preparation for the return of the captives and the Messiah's advent are announced as the construction of a grand thoroughfare for their march ( Isaiah 11:16;  Isaiah 35:8;  Isaiah 40:3;  Isaiah 62:10). The Romans, however, during their occupancy of Palestine, constructed several substantial roads, which are laid down in the ancient itineraries, and remains of which subsist to this day. De Saulcy (Dead Sea, 1, 392) fancied he discovered traces of the old Moabitish highways ( Numbers 20:17). (See Road).