Bible Dictionary
Highways
In biblical Palestine, highways were generally paths rather than engineered roads. The image of repairing a highway emphasizes preparing the way for returning exiles or for the coming King.
Definition
Highways in ancient Palestine were generally footpaths rather than maintained roads. People and animals commonly traveled along narrow paths in which animals moved in single file, and obstacles were ordinarily not removed or repaired.
Biblical Usage
The biblical image of repairing or preparing a highway gives prominence to the work required for the return of captives or the progress of the great King. On special occasions, roads were prepared for kings, armies, or royal journeys.
Historical Background
The Romans constructed some substantial roads in Palestine for carts and chariots, but most local travel continued over unimproved paths. This contrast explains the force of the imagery of a newly prepared highway.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
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.