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Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Intro ← Index → ©

TRAVEL

In biblical times travelers found roads bad and often impassable. Sea voyages were made in comparatively small ships, usually by military and commercial personnel, and hardly ever for simple tourist traffic. With little reason to travel, ordinary citizens tended to remain in fairly limited areas. From time to time, there were group migrations, and sometimes people traveled for religious festivals or fled from war or famine.

Travel in Old Testament Times

Several accounts depict the people of Israel moving over restricted areas to graze their flocks. Joseph’s brothers took their flocks from the south of the land up to Shechem and then to Dothan (Gn 37:12-17), but this was a mere 60 miles (96.5 kilometers). David traveled around Palestine and even went to Moab (1 Sm 22:3). The Danites moved from their home southwest of Jerusalem to the north, just south of the Lebanon Mountains (Jgs 18).

Examples of travel for pasturage, migration, and protection could be multiplied. Such travelers would normally walk, though the ass was used both for riding and as a pack animal. The ox was employed for transporting heavy loads and sometimes for people (Gn 46:5). Later the camel came into general use (1 Kgs 10:2; 2 Kgs 8:9). Little is known of resting places for travelers in OT times. There are only a few references to a “lodging place” (malon) in OT narratives (Gn 42:27; 43:21; Ex 4:24).

Travel in New Testament Times

The Roman world knew a great deal of travel: to fulfill religious obligations at festival time, for trade, for government administration, for military purposes. Not the least among first-century travelers were the early Christian missionaries.

The advent of Roman peace and authority and the construction of well-made stone roads made travel relatively safe and quick. The modes of travel improved over that known in OT times. Long distances were traveled within the Roman Empire over good roads and in comparative safety. There were some hazards, however, notably in sea travel, from wind, storms, and pirates (Acts 15:39; 18:18-22; Rom 15:24-25; 2 Cor 11:25-26). Paul’s sea journey to Rome, for example, was perilous (Acts 27:1–28:14 OET ACT 27:1–44 · OET ACT 28:1–14).

The NT mentions a number of journeys on foot. Mary journeyed from Galilee to Judea to visit Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-40, 56 OET LUK 1:39–40 · OET LUK 1:56). The baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the census (2:1-7); Jesus was brought to Jerusalem to comply with the Jewish purification law (v 22). Thus three trips were made from Nazareth to Jerusalem, a distance of about 70 miles (112.6 kilometers), from the time of Jesus’ conception to Mary’s purification. The annual Passover visit was made by Joseph and Mary (vv 41-51). Other journeys are mentioned (Jn 2:13; 5:1; 7:1-10; 12:1). Jesus himself walked to Jericho from Galilee (Mk 1:1-11) and also to the region of Tyre and Sidon (7:24). He was in Samaria more than once (Lk 17:11; Jn 4:4). His last journey to Jerusalem was via Jericho and up through the hills to Jerusalem (Mk 10:1, 46 OET MRK 10:1 · OET MRK 10:46; 11:1). His last journey after the resurrection was to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35).

Show passage in OET: LUK 1:39–40; LUK 1:56

OET-RV LUK 1:39

39 Several days later, Maria (Mary; Heb. Miryam; Grk. Maria/Mariam) determined that she’d go to the town in the hills of Yehudah (Judea)

OET-RV LUK 1:40

40 where Zekaryah (Grk. Zakarias) and Elisheva (Elizabeth; Grk. Elisabet) lived. She entered the house and greeted Elisheva,

OET-RV LUK 1:56

56 So Maria (Mary; Heb. Miryam; Grk. Maria/Mariam) stayed with Elisheva (Elizabeth; Grk. Elisabet) for about three months before returning back to her own home.

OET-LV LUK 1:39

39 And Maria having_risen_up in the these days, was_gone into the mountainous with earnestness, to a_city of_Youda/(Yəhūdāh),

OET-LV LUK 1:40

40 and she_came_in into the house of_Zaⱪarias, and greeted the Elisabet.

OET-LV LUK 1:56

56 And Maria/(Miryām) remained with her about three months, and returned to the home of_her.

Show passage in OET: LUK 2:1–7

OET-RV LUK 2:1

2 At that time, Kaisar Augustus sent a decree that everyone throughout the empire needed to register in a census.

OET-RV LUK 2:2

2 (This census was conducted when Kurenios (Quirinius) was the governor of Aram (Syria).)

OET-RV LUK 2:3

3 Everyone had to officially register in the city where they were born.

OET-RV LUK 2:4

4 Because Yosef (Joseph) was a descendant of King David, he left the town of Nazaret (Nazareth) in the Galil region and went down to David’s town of Beyt-Lehem (Bethlehem) in Yehudah (Judea)

OET-RV LUK 2:5

5 to register along with Maria (Mary; Heb. Miryam; Grk. Maria/Mariam), his pregnant fiancée.

OET-RV LUK 2:6

6 While they were in Beyt-Lehem, the time came for her to give birth

OET-RV LUK 2:7

7 and so Maria bore her first son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and slept him in an empty feeding trough, because they had missed out on the guest room.

OET-LV LUK 2:1

2 And it_became in the those days, a_decree came_out from Kaisar Augustus/(Sebastos), all the inhabited_world to_be_registering.

OET-LV LUK 2:2

2 (This registration first became when_ Kuraʸnios _governing the Suria/(ʼArām).
)

OET-LV LUK 2:3

3 And all were_going to_be_registering, each to the city of_himself.

OET-LV LUK 2:4

4 And Yōsaʸf/(Yōşēf) went_up also, from the Galilaia/(Gālīl) out_of the_city of_Nazaret, to the Youdaia to the_city of_Dawid/(Dāvid), which is_being_called Baʸthleʼem/(Bēyt-leḩem), because_of that him to_be from the_household and family of_Dawid,

OET-LV LUK 2:5

5 to_register with Maria/(Miryām), which having_been_betrothed to_him, being pregnant.

OET-LV LUK 2:6

6 And it_became at the time them to_be there, were_fulfilled the days of_the child her to_bear.

OET-LV LUK 2:7

7 And she_bore the son of_her the firstborn, and swaddled him, and laid him in a_manger, because was not a_place for_them in the guest_room.

Show passage in OET: LUK 2:22

OET-RV LUK 2:22

22 Then when the time of the mother’s purification was fulfilled as per Mosheh’s (Moses’) instructions, they took him down to Yerushalem (Jerusalem) to be dedicated to Yahweh

OET-LV LUK 2:22

22 And when the days of_the purification of_them according_to the law of_Mōsaʸs/(Mosheh) were_fulfilled, they_brought_ him _up to Hierousalaʸm/(Yərūshālayim) to_present to_the master,

Show passage in OET: LUK 2:41–51

OET-RV LUK 2:41

41 Every year Yeshua’s (Jesus’; Grk. Yesus’) family would go down to Yerushalem (Jerusalem) for the Passover celebrations.

OET-RV LUK 2:42

42 One time when he was twelve years old, they went to celebrate the Passover there as usual,

OET-RV LUK 2:43

43 and when it was all over and they started on their return, the lad stayed there in Yerushalem but his parents weren’t aware of it.

OET-RV LUK 2:44

44 They thought he was with others in the group, but at the end of the day’s hiking when they looked for him among the relatives and acquaintances,

OET-RV LUK 2:45

45 they couldn’t find him, so they returned to Yerushalem to look for him.

OET-RV LUK 2:46

46 It was only after three days that they found him in the temple, sitting with the religious teachers there—sometimes listening to them, and sometimes asking them questions.

OET-RV LUK 2:47

47 Everyone who had heard the conversations was amazed at his intelligence and knowledge.

OET-RV LUK 2:48

48 When his parents found him, they were astonished and his mother asked, “Son, how could you do this to us? Your father and I have been frantic looking for you!”

OET-RV LUK 2:49

49 “Why did you all need to look for me?” he answered. “Didn’t you both know that it’s good for me to be in my father’s house?”

OET-RV LUK 2:50

50 But they didn’t really understand what he meant.

OET-RV LUK 2:51

51 After that, he went back to Nazaret (Nazareth) with them and continued to be obedient to them,

OET-LV LUK 2:41

41 And the parents of_him were_going to Hierousalaʸm in_every year to_the feast of_the passover_feast.

OET-LV LUK 2:42

42 And when he_became of_ twelve _years, them going_up according_to the custom of_the feast,

OET-LV LUK 2:43

43 and having_completed the days, in the time them to_be_returning, the boy Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) remained, in Hierousalaʸm, but the parents of_him not.
knew.

OET-LV LUK 2:44

44 But having_thought him to_be in the caravan, they_came the_journey of_a_day and they_were_seeking_ him _out among the relatives and the acquaintances,

OET-LV LUK 2:45

45 and not having_found him, they_returned to Hierousalaʸm, seeking_ him _out.

OET-LV LUK 2:46

46 And it_became after three days, they_found him in the temple, sitting in the_midst of_the teachers, both hearing from_them and asking them.

OET-LV LUK 2:47

47 And all the ones hearing from_him were_marvelling at the intelligence and the answers of_him.

OET-LV LUK 2:48

48 And having_seen him, they_were_astonished and the mother of_him said to him:
Child, why did_you thus to_us?
Behold, the father of_you and_I, being_distressed were_seeking you.

OET-LV LUK 2:49

49 And he_said to them:
Why is_it that you_all_were_seeking me?
You_all_had_ not _known that in the house of_the father of_me it_is_fitting me to_be?

OET-LV LUK 2:50

50 And they not understood the message which he_spoke to_them.

OET-LV LUK 2:51

51 And he_came_down with them and came to Nazaret, and was being_subjected to_them.
And the mother of_him was_keeping all the messages in the heart of_her.

Show passage in OET: JHN 2:13

OET-RV JHN 2:13

13 By then it was getting close to the time of the Jewish Festival of the Passover, and Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) went down to Yerushalem (Jerusalem).

OET-LV JHN 2:13

13 And the passover_feast of_the Youdaiōns was near, and the Yaʸsous went_up to Hierousalaʸm/(Yərūshālayim).

Show passage in OET: JHN 5:1

OET-RV JHN 5:1

5 After all this, there was another Jewish feast, so Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) went down to Yerushalem (Jerusalem).

OET-LV JHN 5:1

5 After these things there_was a_feast of_the Youdaiōns, and Yaʸsous went_up to Hierousalaʸm/(Yərūshālayim).

Show passage in OET: JHN 7:1–10

OET-RV JHN 7:1

7 After all this, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) travelled around Galil. (He didn’t want to travel around Yehudah (Judea) because the leaders there wanted to execute him.)

OET-RV JHN 7:2

2 As it was now getting close to the Jewish Feast With Tents,

OET-RV JHN 7:3

3 his brothers said to him, “You should leave this place and go down to Yehudah so that all your followers can see the miracles that you’re doing.

OET-RV JHN 7:4

4 If you want to become well-known, you don’t do things out of the main stream. If you want to do miracles, go and show yourself to the wider world.

OET-RV JHN 7:5

5 (You see, not even Yeshua’s own half-brothers believed that he came from God.)

OET-RV JHN 7:6

6 So Yeshua responded, “Well, you guys can do that any time, but it’s not the right time for me yet.

OET-RV JHN 7:7

7 All the people won’t hate you guys, but they do hate me because I teach about the evil things they are doing.

OET-RV JHN 7:8

8 You all go on down to Yerushalem (Jerusalem) ahead of me. I’m not going to the feast yet because it’s not yet the right time for me.”

OET-RV JHN 7:9

9 After saying this, Yeshua stayed up in Galil.

OET-RV JHN 7:10

10 But after his half-brothers had left to go down to Yerushalem (Jerusalem), Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) also went—not in the public limelight but just incognito so to speak.

OET-LV JHN 7:1

7 And after these things, the Yaʸsous was_walking in the Galilaia/(Gālīl), because/for he_was_ not _wanting to_be_walking in the Youdaia, because the Youdaiōns were_seeking to_kill_ him _off.

OET-LV JHN 7:2

2 And it_was near the feast of_the Youdaiōns the tents.

OET-LV JHN 7:3

3 Therefore the brothers of_him said to him:
Depart from_here, and be_going into the Youdaia, in_order_that also the apprentices/followers of_you will_be_observing of_you the works that you_are_doing.

OET-LV JHN 7:4

4 For/Because no_one is_doing anything in secret and is_seeking himself to_be in public.
If you_are_doing these things, reveal yourself to_the world.

OET-LV JHN 7:5

5 For/Because not_even the brothers of_him were_believing in him.

OET-LV JHN 7:6

6 Therefore the Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) is_saying to_them:
- my the time is_ not_yet _coming, but the your the time always is ready.

OET-LV JHN 7:7

7 The world is_ not _able to_be_hating you_all, but it_is_hating me, because I am_testifying concerning it that the works of_it is evil.

OET-LV JHN 7:8

8 You_all go_up to the feast, I not_yet am_going_up to this the feast, because the my time has_ not_yet _˓been˒_fulfilled.

OET-LV JHN 7:9

9 And having_said these things to_them he_remained in the Galilaia.

OET-LV JHN 7:10

10 But when the brothers of_him went_up to the feast, then he also went_up, not openly, but as in secret.

Show passage in OET: JHN 12:1

OET-RV JHN 12:1

12 Because of this, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) went to Beyt-Ania (Bethany) six days before the Passover. This was where Eleazar (Lazarus; Grk. Lazaros) lived, the one he had brought back to life.

OET-LV JHN 12:1

12 Therefore the Six days before the passover_feast Yaʸsous, came to Baʸthania, where Lazaros was, whom Yaʸsous raised from the_dead.

Show passage in OET: MRK 1:1–11

OET-RV MRK 1:1

1 Here begins the good message about God’s son, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) the messiah:

OET-RV MRK 1:2

2 The prophet Yeshayah (Isaiah) wrote:
 ⇔ “Look, I’m sending my messenger ahead of you,
 ⇔ the one who’ll be preparing your path.

OET-RV MRK 1:3

3 The voice out in the wilderness shouting,
 ⇔ ‘Get the path ready for Yahweh—
 ⇔ ≈ make it smooth for him to walk on.’ ”

OET-RV MRK 1:4

4 Yohan (John; Grk. Yoannes) turned up in the wilderness announcing that people should get immersed in water in order to show that their sins have been forgiven,

OET-RV MRK 1:5

5 and many from the Yehudah (Judea) region and from Yerushalem (Jerusalem) city went out to hear him, and asked Yohan to immerse them in the Yarden (Jordan) river as they confessed their sins.

OET-RV MRK 1:6

6 Yohan was dressed in simple clothes made from camel hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he lived on locusts and wild honey.

OET-RV MRK 1:7

7 He also announced, “There’s a greater man coming soon—in fact I’m not even good enough to bend down and untie his sandal straps.

OET-RV MRK 1:8

8 I immersed you all in water, but he’ll immerse you in God’s holy spirit.”

OET-RV MRK 1:9

9 Then one day Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) came from Nazaret (Nazareth) in the Galil region, and he got immersed in the Yarden (Jordan) river by Yohan (John; Grk. Yoannes).

OET-RV MRK 1:10

10 As Yeshua came up out of the water, he saw the sky being opened up, and God’s spirit coming down on him like a dove.

OET-RV MRK 1:11

11 And a voice came from the sky saying, “You’re my son who I love and am pleased with.”

OET-LV MRK 1:1

1 The_beginning of_the good_message of_Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) chosen_one/messiah, son of_god.

OET-LV MRK 1:2

2 As it_has_been_written in the Aʸsaias/(Yəshaˊ^yāh) the prophet:
Behold, I_am_sending_out the messenger of_me before the_face of_you, who will_be_preparing the way of_you.

OET-LV MRK 1:3

3 The_voice of_a_shouting one in the wilderness prepare the way of_the_master, be_making the paths of_him straight.

OET-LV MRK 1:4

4 Yōannaʸs became the one immersing in the wilderness, and proclaiming an_immersion of_repentance for forgiveness of_sins.

OET-LV MRK 1:5

5 And all the Youdaia region and all of_the ones_from_Hierousalaʸm/(Yərūshālam) was_going_out to him and they_were_being_immersed by him in the Yordanaʸs/(Yardēn) river, confessing the sins of_them.

OET-LV MRK 1:6

6 And the Yōannaʸs was having_dressed_in hairs of_a_camel, and a_ leather _belt around the waist of_him, and eating locusts and wild honey.

OET-LV MRK 1:7

7 And he_was_proclaiming saying:
The one mightier than me is_coming after me, of_whom I_am not worthy having_bent_down, to_untie the strap of_the sandals of_him.

OET-LV MRK 1:8

8 I immersed you_all in_water, but he will_be_immersing you_all the_ holy _spirit.

OET-LV MRK 1:9

9 And it_became in those the days, Yaʸsous came from Nazaret of_ the _Galilaia/(Gālīl), and he_was_immersed in the Yordanaʸs by Yōannaʸs.

OET-LV MRK 1:10

10 And immediately going_up from the water, he_saw the heavens being_divided, and the spirit as a_dove coming_down on him.

OET-LV MRK 1:11

11 And a_voice became out_of the heavens:
You are the the beloved son of_me, I_took_pleasure in you.

Show passage in OET: MRK 7:24

OET-RV MRK 7:24

24 Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) left that place and went up north into the regions of Tsor (Tyre) and Tsidon (Sidon). He tried to enter a house without being noticed but didn’t succeed,

OET-LV MRK 7:24

24 And from_there having_risen_up, he_went_away into the regions of_Turos/(Tsor) and Sidōn/(Tsīdōn).
And having_come_in into the_house, he_was_wanting no_one to_know, but was_ not _able to_escape_notice.

Show passage in OET: LUK 17:11

OET-RV LUK 17:11

11 Soon it was time to continue on towards Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and so they walked through Galil and Shomron (Samaria).

OET-LV LUK 17:11

11 And it_became at the time to_be_going to Hierousalaʸm/(Yərūshālayim), and because_of he was_passing_through the_midst of_Samareia/(Shomrōn) and Galilaia/(Gālīl).

Show passage in OET: JHN 4:4

OET-RV JHN 4:4

4 On the way up, he decided to go through Shomron (Samaria).

OET-LV JHN 4:4

4 And it_was_fitting him to_be_passing_through through the Samareia/(Shomrōn).

Show passage in OET: MRK 10:1; MRK 10:46

OET-RV MRK 10:1

10 Then Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) left Kafarnaoum (Capernaum) and went down to the Yehudah (Judea) area and across the Yarden (Jordan) river. Again the crowds followed him, and he taught them just like he usually did.

OET-RV MRK 10:46

46 They arrived at Yeriho (Jericho), and then when Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) and his apprentices were leaving again with a large crowd following, they came across blind Bar-Timaios (Grk. Bartimaios) (Timaios’ son) sitting beside the path begging.

OET-LV MRK 10:1

10 And from_there having_risen_up, he_is_coming into the regions of_ the _Youdaia and beyond the Yordanaʸs/(Yardēn), and again crowds are_going_with to him, and he_was_teaching them again as he_had_been_accustomed.

OET-LV MRK 10:46

46 And they_are_coming to Yeriⱪō/(Yərīḩō).
And him and the apprentices/followers of_him and a_ large _crowd going_out from Yeriⱪō, Bartimaios blind beggar, the a_son of_Timaios, was_sitting beside the road.

Show passage in OET: MRK 11:1

OET-RV MRK 11:1

11 As they got close to Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and were passing Beyt-Fagey (Bethphage) and Beyt-Ania (Bethany) on the Mt. of Olives, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) sent two of his apprentices ahead.

OET-LV MRK 11:1

11 And when they_are_nearing to Hierousalaʸm/(Yərūshālayim), to Baʸthfagaʸ and Baʸthania near the Mount the of_Olives, he_is_sending_out two of_the apprentices/followers of_him,

Jump to OET LUK 1:39–40 section. · OET LUK 1:56 section.

Jump to OET LUK 2:1–7 section.

Jump to OET LUK 2:22 section.

Jump to OET LUK 2:41–51 section.

Jump to OET JHN 2:13 section.

Jump to OET JHN 5:1 section.

Jump to OET JHN 7:1–10 section.

Jump to OET JHN 12:1 section.

Jump to OET MRK 1:1–11 section.

Jump to OET MRK 7:24 section.

Jump to OET LUK 17:11 section.

Jump to OET JHN 4:4 section.

Jump to OET MRK 10:1 section. · OET MRK 10:46 section.

Jump to OET MRK 11:1 section.

Paul traveled by sea on each of his missionary journeys (Acts 13:1-14; 15:41–18:22 OET ACT 15:41 · OET ACT 16:1–40 · OET ACT 17:1–34 · OET ACT 18:1–22; 18:23–21:17 OET ACT 18:23–28 · OET ACT 19:1–41 · OET ACT 20:1–38 · OET ACT 21:1–17), generally accompanied by friends. He also made many journeys on foot in Palestine, Asia Minor, and the Greek peninsula. But not all travel was on foot in NT times. The ass, used for carrying loads, often carried people. Jesus once rode from Bethphage to Jerusalem, a short but highly symbolic journey (Mt 21:2-7; Mk 11:1-11; Jn 12:12-15). When Joseph traveled with his pregnant wife, Mary, to Bethlehem for the census at the time of Jesus’ birth, Mary probably rode on an ass. The Ethiopian eunuch was riding in a chariot after worshiping at Jerusalem and was joined by Philip traveling on foot (Acts 8:26-38). Roman soldiers both marched and made wide use of horses. When Paul was brought to Caesarea from Jerusalem, mounts were prepared for him (23:23-24).

Roads and Sea Lanes

The roads of biblical times figured prominently in the geography, topography, and history of Palestine—a land that served as a bridge between Egypt and centers of civilization and trade in the Middle East. Many of the roads were strategically important, both commercially and militarily. Some roads gained significance as pilgrim routes to facilitate travel to religious centers like Jerusalem. Roads in biblical times were of three main types: long-distance international roads, medium-distance intraregional roads, and a variety of roads inside each region or state.

Great International Roads

These linked the Mediterranean coast to the northern Tigris Valley and southern Mesopotamia. Some linked Mesopotamia to Asia Minor, while others led south to Egypt, either along the coast or east of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea and across the Sinai Peninsula. There were trade routes between Anatolia and Assyria early in the second millennium BC. Apparently the military campaign referred to in Genesis 14 aimed to secure the great trade route, the King’s Highway, from northern Mesopotamia to Egypt. Military invaders and travelers from Babylonia, Assyria, and Persia would head across the hinterlands of Syria toward the coast before turning south into Palestine and Egypt. The advent of European powers, Greece and Rome, into the Middle East opened up another vast network of international roads for the peoples of the East. Until Roman times, these roads were not surfaced with stone but were cleared pathways. They were very rough, ungraded, and in wet weather, impassable in many places. But they were evidently well defined by “waymarks” and “guideposts” (Jer 31:21). With the coming of the Romans, important roads were built with deep foundations and with large blocks of flat stone at the surface. The remains of these roads are still seen in many places in the Middle East and in Europe. Distance markers or milestones were regularly placed along the roads.

International North-South Roads in Palestine

The roads that linked countries to the north with Egypt passed through Palestine, a natural land bridge. There were three major roads. The coastal road began in Damascus and passed via Hazor across the plain of Esdraelon, through the Megiddo Pass, down the coast past Gaza and into Egypt. This was probably “the way of the sea” (Is 9:1). The Sinai road led from Egypt into the southern Negev and then to Kadesh-barnea, Beersheba, Hebron, Jerusalem, Shechem, Acco, Tyre, and Sidon. The Red Sea road entered the Palestine area from the Gulf of Aqaba, where the ancient port of Elath and Solomon’s port of Ezion-geber stood (Nm 33:35; 2 Chr 8:17). From there it led through the mountainous areas of Transjordan, crossing the deep wadis and then north through the Hauran region to Damascus. This was the road taken by caravans from southern Arabia to Damascus, the ancient King’s Highway (Nm 20:17; 21:22).

There were other north-south roads of lesser importance. One coastal road led from Joppa via Caesarea and Dor to Acco, where it linked with the Sinai road. Evidently it was not very significant until Roman times, when the port of Caesarea was built. The marshes in the plain of Sharon posed many problems. The plain of Esdraelon was also marshy and interrupted the roads north in bad seasons. A raised road across the swampy sections was eventually constructed. Another road led north from Hazor, branching off the main trunk road to Damascus. The Jordan Valley road skirted the southwestern part of Galilee and led down the Jordan Valley to Jericho.

East-West Roads

Several important roads ran east-west, intersecting the larger roads leading north. One such road led from Gaza to Beersheba and then down the Arabah, with an offshoot to Petra. Another led from Ashkelon, via Gath, to Hebron and on to En-gedi on the Dead Sea. Another road led from Joppa east up the valley of Aijalon (Jos 10:6-14) to Bethel and on to Jericho. One well-used road led from Joppa to Shechem, across the Jordan at Adam (3:16) and into Gilead in Transjordan. Other roads led from Acco eastward to Galilee and also up the coast to Tyre and Sidon. There were, indeed, numerous east-west roads that provided contact between various parts of Palestine. In Roman times, when the speedy movement of armies was essential, some of the old roads were greatly improved and new ones built.