path , path´wā ( ארח , 'ōraḥ , נתיבה , nethı̄bhāh , etc.; τρίβος , trı́bos , τροχιά , trochiá ):
(1) In the Old Testament. - I n addition to its obvious literal sense (e.g. Genesis 49:17 ), it has very frequently a figurative meaning. (a ) As applied to man, a course or manner of life: (i) man's outward lot in life, his career or destiny, whether of the just man (Isaiah 26:7 ) or of the ungodly (Job 8:13 ); (ii) frequently in an ethical sense, of men's conduct or inward life-purpose, whether it be good or evil (e.g. Proverbs 2:15 ), generally accompanied by a term defining the moral quality of the conduct, either an abstract noun (e.g. "the paths of uprightness," Proverbs 2:13; Proverbs 4:11; "the paths of justice," Proverbs 2:8; Isaiah 40:14; "the paths of life," Psalm 16:11; Proverbs 2:19 ), or a concrete adjective or noun (e.g. "crooked paths," Isaiah 59:8; "the paths of the righteous," Proverbs 2:20; Proverbs 4:18 ). (b ) The term is also applied to God either (i) of the methods of the Divine Providence, God's dealings with men (Psalm 25:10; Psalm 65:11 ), or (ii) of the principles and maxims of religion and morality divinely revealed to man ("Show me thy ways, O Y ahweh, teach me thy paths," Psalm 25:4; compare Isaiah 2:3 ).
(2) In the Apocrypha we have the "paths" of Wisdom ( tribos , Baruch 3:21,31 ); the "path" shown to men by the Law ( semita , 2 Esdras 14:22); and a man's "paths" ( tribos , Tobit 4:10 ).
(3) In the New Testament the word occurs only in Matthew 3:3 and parallel passages Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4 (of the forerunner's work), and in Hebrews 12:13 (in the Old Testament ethical sense).
Pathway occurs in Proverbs 12:28 ( derekh nethı̄bhāh ) and The Wisdom of Solomon 5:10 (atrapós ). See WAY .
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
Read More