Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, travel was a significant aspect of life, often undertaken for trade, religious pilgrimage, or migration. The Bible provides numerous accounts of individuals and groups who traveled for various reasons, reflecting the cultural and spiritual dimensions of journeying.
Old Testament ContextTravel in the Old Testament is frequently associated with the patriarchs, who were often nomadic. Abraham, for instance, is a quintessential traveler, called by God to leave his homeland and journey to a land that God would show him (
Genesis 12:1-4). This journey was not merely physical but also spiritual, symbolizing faith and obedience to God's call.
The Israelites' exodus from Egypt is another significant journey, marked by divine intervention and guidance. As they traveled through the wilderness, God provided a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to lead them (
Exodus 13:21-22). This journey was foundational for the identity of Israel as a people chosen and led by God.
Travel for trade is also evident, as seen in the account of the Queen of Sheba visiting King Solomon to test his wisdom (
1 Kings 10:1-2). Such journeys facilitated cultural exchanges and the spread of ideas and goods.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, travel takes on a new dimension with the spread of the Gospel. Jesus Himself was a traveler, moving from town to town to preach and teach. His itinerant ministry is highlighted in passages such as
Luke 8:1 , where He traveled from one city and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.
The Apostle Paul is perhaps the most notable traveler in the New Testament. His missionary journeys, documented in the Acts of the Apostles, were instrumental in the establishment of early Christian communities across the Roman Empire. Paul's travels were often fraught with danger, yet he remained committed to his mission, as seen in passages like
Acts 20:22-24 , where he speaks of being compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem despite the hardships that awaited him.
Spiritual SignificanceTravel in the Bible often symbolizes a spiritual journey or pilgrimage. The physical act of moving from one place to another can reflect an inner transformation or a quest for deeper understanding and relationship with God. The journey of the Magi to visit the newborn Jesus (
Matthew 2:1-12) is an example of a physical journey with profound spiritual implications, as they sought the King of the Jews guided by a star.
Moreover, the concept of life as a journey is a recurring theme in Scripture. Believers are often depicted as sojourners or pilgrims on earth, with their true citizenship in heaven (
Philippians 3:20). This perspective encourages a focus on eternal values and the pursuit of a life that honors God.
Cultural and Practical AspectsTravel in biblical times was challenging and often perilous. Roads were primitive, and travelers faced threats from bandits and harsh weather conditions. Hospitality was a crucial aspect of ancient Near Eastern culture, as travelers relied on the kindness of strangers for food and shelter. This cultural norm is reflected in the account of the Good Samaritan (
Luke 10:30-37), where the Samaritan's compassion for a wounded traveler exemplifies the biblical call to love one's neighbor.
In summary, the theme of travel in the Bible encompasses physical journeys, spiritual pilgrimages, and the broader metaphor of life as a journey. Through the experiences of biblical travelers, readers are invited to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and the ways in which they are called to follow God's leading.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TRAVELLERtrav'-el-er:Judges 5:6 for halakh nethibhah, "goers on paths";2 Samuel 12:4 for helekh, literally, "a going";Job 31:32 for 'arach, participle of a verb meaning "to wander"; Sirach 26:12; 42:3 for hodoiporos, "one making a way."
SeeWAYFARING MAN.
Greek
590. apodemos -- gone abroad... taking a far journey. From apo and demos; absent from one's own people, ie A foreign
traveller -- taking a far journey. see GREEK apo. see GREEK demos.
...4898. sunekdemos -- a fellow traveler
... companion in travel. From sun and the base of ekdemeo; a co-absentee from home,
ie Fellow-traveller -- companion in travel, travel with. see GREEK sun....
Strong's Hebrew
1982. helek -- traveler... dropped,
traveller. From halak; properly, a journey, ie (by implication) a wayfarer;
also a flowing -- X dropped,
traveller. see HEBREW halak. 1981, 1982.
...5410. nathiyb -- path, pathway
... 5409, 5410. nathiyb. 5410a . path, pathway. Transliteration: nathiyb Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-theeb') Short Definition: path. pathway,traveller, way...
7794. shor -- a head of cattle (bullock, ox, etc.)
... bullock, cow, ox. From shuwr; a bullock (as atraveller) -- bull(-ock), cow, ox,
wall (by mistake for shuwr). see HEBREW shuwr. see HEBREW shuwr. 7793, 7794....
7353. rachel -- ewe
... ewe, sheep. From an unused root meaning to journey; a ewe (the females being the
predominant element of a flock) (as a goodtraveller) -- ewe, sheep....
734. orach -- a way, path
... manner, highway. From 'arach; a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also
a caravan -- manner, path, race, rank,traveller, troop, (by-, high-)way....
5883. En Rogel -- a place near Jer.
... En-Rogel, a place near Jerusalem. From ayin and the active participle of ragal;
fountain of atraveller; En-Rogel, a place near Jerusalem: see HEBREW ayin....
Library
TheTraveller
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS THETRAVELLER. How are thy servants
blest, O Lord! How sure is their defence! Eternal wisdom...
The BenightedTraveller.
... III. CONFLICT. Hymn 33 The benightedtraveller. John Newton 7,7,7,7. The
benightedtraveller. Forest beasts, that live by prey,....
TheTraveller's Hymn.
... MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS. 995. " TheTraveller's Hymn. 995. CM Addison.
TheTraveller's Hymn. 1 How are thy servants blest, O Lord!...
Canon Lxxxviii. No one May Drive any Beast into a Church Except...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LXXXVIII. No one may drive any beast
into a church except perchance atraveller? No one may...
How Miracles of Healing have Been Frequently Wrought in the Place...
... How miracles of healing have been frequently wrought in the place where King Oswald
was killed; and how, first, atraveller's horse was restored and afterwards...
If Paul had Known any Mysteries Unrevealed to the Other Apostles...
... Book III Chapter XIV."If Paul had known any mysteries unrevealed to the other apostles,
Luke, his constant companion and fellow-traveller, could not have...
M. Bowring. Advent.
... Advent. 1 Watchman! tell us of the night, What its signs of promise are;Traveller!...
Watchman! does its beauteous ray Aught of hope or joy foretell?Traveller!...
Report of the Watchman.
... 1 Watchman! tell us of the night, What its signs of promise are.Traveller!... Watchman!
does its beauteous ray Aught of joy or hope foretell?Traveller!...
Note 1
... The subject is touched upon several times in St. Paul theTraveller, eg, pp. 30
f., 225, 315.... Paul theTraveller, p. 83, so as to eliminate the word "Roman"....
The Friend at Midnight.
... rest. Meantime a benightedtraveller is threading his way to the spot
expecting food and shelter in the house of his friend. It...
Thesaurus
Traveller (9 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TRAVELLER. trav'-el-er: Judges
... WAYFARING MAN.
Multi-Version Concordance
Traveller (9 Occurrences). Judges 19
...Fellow-traveller (1 Occurrence)
Fellow-traveller. Fellow-soldier, Fellow-traveller. Fellow-travellers .
Multi-Version Concordance Fellow-traveller (1 Occurrence)....
Traveller's (1 Occurrence)
...Traveller's (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 9:2 Oh that I had in the wilderness atraveller's
lodging-place, that I might leave my people, and go away from them!...
Travellers (8 Occurrences)
Traveler (5 Occurrences)
... Judges 19:17 And he lifteth up his eyes, and seeth the man, thetraveller, in a
broad place of the city, and the aged man saith, 'Whither goest thou?...
Ewe (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 12:4 And there cometh atraveller to the rich man, And he spareth to take
Of his own flock, and of his own herd, To prepare for thetraveller Who hath...
Ewe-lamb (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 12:4 And there cometh atraveller to the rich man, And he spareth to take
Of his own flock, and of his own herd, To prepare for thetraveller Who hath...
Prepareth (21 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 12:4 And there cometh atraveller to the rich man, And he spareth to take
Of his own flock, and of his own herd, To prepare for thetraveller Who hath...
Spareth (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 12:4 And there cometh atraveller to the rich man, And he spareth to take
Of his own flock, and of his own herd, To prepare for thetraveller Who hath...
Travelled (7 Occurrences)
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