Travelers.

From: The New Topical Textbook By: Reuben Archer Torrey

• 2 min. read • grade level: 13

Called way-faring men. Judg. 19:17¹⁷And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou? (Judges 19:17). Isa. 35:8⁸And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. (Isaiah 35:8).

Preparations made by, alluded to Ezek. 12:3, 4³Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they be a rebellious house. ⁴Then shalt thou bring forth thy stuff by day in their sight, as stuff for removing: and thou shalt go forth at even in their sight, as they that go forth into captivity. (Ezekiel 12:3‑4).

Often collected together and formed caravans. Gen. 37:25²⁵And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. (Genesis 37:25). Isa. 21:13¹³The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim. (Isaiah 21:13). Luke 2:44⁴⁴But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. (Luke 2:44).

Often engaged persons acquainted with the country as guides. Num. 10:31, 32³¹And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. ³²And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee. (Numbers 10:31‑32). Job 29:15¹⁵I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. (Job 29:15).

FRIENDS OF,

Often supplied them with provision. Gen. 21:14¹⁴And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. (Genesis 21:14). Gen. 44:1¹And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth. (Genesis 44:1). Jer. 40:5⁵Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go. (Jeremiah 40:5).

Sometimes accompanied them a short way. 2 Sam. 19:31³¹And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan. (2 Samuel 19:31). Acts 20:38³⁸Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship. (Acts 20:38). Acts 21:5⁵And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. (Acts 21:5).

Frequently commended them to protection of God. Gen. 43:13, 14¹³Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: ¹⁴And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. (Genesis 43:13‑14). Acts 21:5⁵And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. (Acts 21:5).

Frequently took leave of them with sorrow. Acts 20:37³⁷And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, (Acts 20:37). Acts 21:6⁶And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. (Acts 21:6).

Often sent them away with music. Gen. 31:27²⁷Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? (Genesis 31:27).

Generally commenced their journey early in the morning. Judg. 19:5⁵And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel's father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way. (Judges 19:5).

Generally rested at noon. Gen. 18:1¹And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; (Genesis 18:1). John 4:6⁶Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. (John 4:6).

Halted at even. Gen. 24:11¹¹And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. (Genesis 24:11).

Generally halted at wells or streams. Gen. 24:11¹¹And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. (Genesis 24:11). Gen. 32:21, 23²¹So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company. (Genesis 32:21)
²³And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. (Genesis 32:23). Ex. 15:27²⁷And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters. (Exodus 15:27). 1 Sam. 30:21²¹And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them. (1 Samuel 30:21). John 4:6⁶Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. (John 4:6).

CARRIED WITH THEM

Provisions for the way. Josh. 9:11, 12¹¹Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. ¹²This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: (Joshua 9:11‑12). Judg. 19:19¹⁹Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing. (Judges 19:19).

Provender for their beasts of burden. Gen. 42:27²⁷And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth. (Genesis 42:27). Judg. 19:19¹⁹Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing. (Judges 19:19).

Skins filled with water, wine, &c. Gen. 21:14, 15¹⁴And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. ¹⁵And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. (Genesis 21:14‑15). Josh. 9:13¹³And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. (Joshua 9:13).

Presents for those who entertained them. Gen. 43:15¹⁵And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. (Genesis 43:15). 1 Kin. 10:2. 2 Kin. 5:5. Matt. 2:11¹¹And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11).

Often traveled on foot. Gen. 28:10¹⁰And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. (Genesis 28:10), with Gen. 32:10¹⁰I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. (Genesis 32:10). Ex. 12:37³⁷And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. (Exodus 12:37). Acts 20:13¹³And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. (Acts 20:13).

On foot, how attired. Ex. 12:11¹¹And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's passover. (Exodus 12:11). After a long journey, described. Josh. 9:4, 5, 13⁴They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; ⁵And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. (Joshua 9:4‑5)
¹³And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. (Joshua 9:13).

OF DISTINCTION

Rode on asses, camels, &c. Gen. 22:3³And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. (Genesis 22:3). Gen. 24:64⁶⁴And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. (Genesis 24:64). Num. 22:21²¹And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. (Numbers 22:21).

Rode in chariots. 2 Kin. 5:9. Acts 8:27, 28²⁷And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, ²⁸Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. (Acts 8:27‑28).

Generally attended by running footmen. 1 Sam. 25:27²⁷And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. (1 Samuel 25:27). (marg.) 1 Kin. 18:46. 2 Kin. 4:24. Ecc. 10:7.

Often preceded by heralds, &c. to have the roads prepared. Isa. 40:3, 4³The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. ⁴Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: (Isaiah 40:3‑4), with Mar. 1:2, 3.

Generally performed their journey in great state. 1 Kin. 10:2. 2 Kin. 5:5, 9, &c.

Frequently extorted provisions by the way. Judg. 8:5, 8⁵And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian. (Judges 8:5)
⁸And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him. (Judges 8:8). 1 Sam. 25:4-13⁴And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep. ⁵And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: ⁶And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast. ⁷And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel. ⁸Ask thy young men, and they will show thee. Wherefore let the young men find favor in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David. ⁹And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased. ¹⁰And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. ¹¹Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be? ¹²So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings. ¹³And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff. (1 Samuel 25:4‑13).

Before setting out gave employment, &c. to their servants. Matt. 25:14¹⁴For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. (Matthew 25:14).

Strangers civil to. Gen. 18:2²And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, (Genesis 18:2). Gen. 24:18, 19¹⁸And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. ¹⁹And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. (Genesis 24:18‑19).

Generally treated with great hospitality. Gen. 18:3-8³And said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: ⁴Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: ⁵And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. ⁶And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. ⁷And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. ⁸And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. (Genesis 18:3‑8). Gen. 19:2²And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. (Genesis 19:2). Gen. 24:25, 32, 33²⁵She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. (Genesis 24:25)
³²And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him. ³³And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. (Genesis 24:32‑33). Ex. 2:20²⁰And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread. (Exodus 2:20). Judg. 19:20, 21²⁰And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street. ²¹So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink. (Judges 19:20‑21). Job 31:32³²The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller. (Job 31:32). See Heb. 13:2²Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2).

The caravansera or public inn for, noticed. Gen. 42:27²⁷And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth. (Genesis 42:27). Ex. 4:24²⁴And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him. (Exodus 4:24). Luke 2:7⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7). Luke 10:34³⁴And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (Luke 10:34).

Were frequently asked whence they came and whither they went. Judg. 19:17¹⁷And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou? (Judges 19:17).

Protected by those who entertained them. Gen. 19:6-8⁶And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, ⁷And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. ⁸Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. (Genesis 19:6‑8). Judg. 19:23²³And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly. (Judges 19:23).

For security often left the highways. Judg. 5:6⁶In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways. (Judges 5:6).

Tessaræ hospitales or pledges of hospitality, alluded to. Rev. 2:17¹⁷He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17).

ON ERRANDS REQUIRING DESPATCH

Went with great speed. Esther 8:10¹⁰And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: (Esther 8:10). Job 9:25²⁵Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good. (Job 9:25).

Saluted no man by the way. 2 Kin. 4:29. Luke 10:4⁴Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. (Luke 10:4).

Estimated the length of their journey by the number of days which it occupied. Gen. 31:23²³And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. (Genesis 31:23). Deut. 1:2²(There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea.) (Deuteronomy 1:2). 2 Kin. 3:9.

The Jews prohibited from taking long journeys on the Sabbath. Ex. 20:19¹⁹And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. (Exodus 20:19), with Acts 1:12¹²Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. (Acts 1:12).

Ceasing of, threatened as a calamity. Isa. 33:8⁸The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man. (Isaiah 33:8).

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