the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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Bible Encyclopedias
Traveling
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (prop. some form of אָרִח, arach, especially אֹרֵחִ, orach, a traveler; fem.
אֹרְחָה , orechah, a "traveling company" [Genesis 37:25; Isaiah 21:13], i.e. caravan) in the East is still much more cumbersome than with us, since it is almost exclusively undertaken solely on errands of business, and rarely for purposes of pleasure. Its laboriousness is partly occasioned by the sandy and desert nature of the country, which often requires way- marks to be set up for guidance (Arrian, Exped. Alex. 5, 26); partly by the bad and neglected roads (comp. Philo, Opp. 2, 578), especially in winter, (See ROAD); partly by the general absence of proper hotels, (See INN); and partly by the bands of robbers who infest the country in general (comp. 2 Corinthians 11:26). (See ROBBER).
Commerce (q.v.) is carried on by means of caravans (q.v.), which carry all necessaries with them, and are often so large as to seem like a considerable army (see Wellsted, Reisen, p. 227). Part of the company is always armed, and constitutes the van and rear guard (see Olivier, Voyage, 6:329 sq.). In the desert a local guide is usually employed (comp. Numbers 10:31), and a beacon-fire as a standard by night (see, generally, Jahn, Archaeol. I, 2, 17 sq.). Single travelers in the interior of the well-inhabited country, or in Palestine proper, usually ride upon asses (1 Samuel 25:20; 1 Samuel 25:42; 2 Samuel 17:23; 1 Kings 2:40; 2 Chronicles 28:15; comp. Luke 10:34); tourists, however, and sheiks, upon horses; and in some instances wagons were anciently used as vehicles (1 Kings 12:18; 2 Kings 19:21; Acts 8:28) in certain parts of the country. Most persons went on foot (comp. John 4:6) and carried their most essential supplies with them (Judges 19:18 sq., i.e. πήρα, Matthew 10:10), likewise a tent (q.v.) under which to encamp if in a solitary region (Dionys. Hal. 8:3). Gloves are mentioned in the Mishna (Chelimu, 16:6) as travelling apparatus. The Jews journeyed to the great festivals in caravans (Luke 2:42; Luke 2:44) with song and rejoicing. Single travelers usually found a ready hospitality (except among the Samaritans towards Jews), and eventually khans (q.v.) were established along the highways, especially for non-Israelites (see Reisegger, Reisen, 3, 62 sq.). Travelers of distinction were often welcomed with torch lights and great ceremony (2 Maccabees 4:22), and for princes the roads were frequently repaired (Psalms 68:5; Isaiah 40:3; Diod. Sic. 2, 13; Arrian, Alex. 4:30; Josephus, War, 3, 6, 2). Also on departing they were dismissed with an honorary procession (προπέμπειν, Acts 21:5; deducere, Cicero, Cat. Maj. 18) and many ceremonious attentions (Acts 15:3; Romans 15:24; 1 Corinthians 16:16; 3 John 1:6). Samaria was avoided as a route by the Jews. The Galileans, in visiting the festivals at Jerusalem, usually went along the Jordan or through Pertea (Luke 17:11; John 4:4; Josephus, Ant. 20:6, 1). (See SAMARITAN). Journeying on the Sabbath was forbidden in post-exilian times (see Josephus, Ant. 13:8, 4). (See SABBATH-DAYS JOURNEY). On account of the heat travel was sometimes pursued by night. (See, generally, Hackett, Illustr. of Script. p. 12-16.) (See JOURNEY).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Traveling'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/t/traveling.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
