Biblical Geography

The King's Highway

Road · Old Testament

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Numbers 20:17 · WEBU

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Israel asks Edom for passage: we will go along the 's Highway, turning neither right nor left.

The 's Highway ran the length of the eastern plateau, past Edom, Moab, Ammon and Gilead, joining Damascus at its northern end. Israel's requests to use it, and the refusals, shaped the whole approach to the promised land.

The highland road east of the Jordan from the Red Sea to Damascus, along the plateaus of Edom, Moab and Ammon.

Biblical names
the King's Highway, the king's road
Later names
Trajan's Via Nova followed much of its line

Identification note. The route's line is reconstructed from the biblical itineraries and the Roman road that reused it.

The plateau road was the only route a multitude could march east of the Jordan; the rift valley below was impassable. Controlling it was Edom's and Moab's wealth, which is why they refused it.

  • Israel asks Edom for passage: we will go along the King's Highway, turning neither right nor left.
  • The same request to Sihon of the Amorites
  • Let me pass through your land; I will keep to the road

What we know

Certain

  • The road's existence and course along the eastern plateau are stated in Numbers and confirmed by later Roman engineering on the same line.