King's Highway

Biblical Text

The expression "king's highway" occurs twice in Numbers. In Numbers 20:14-21, Moses sends messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, referring to Israel as "thy brother" and asking permission to pass through the land. He promises that Israel will not enter the fields or vineyards or drink water from the wells, but will travel only "by the king's high way" (Numbers 20:17). Edom refuses and comes out with an army, and Israel turns away from Edom.

In Numbers 21:21-24, the same request is made of Sihon king of the Amorites (Numbers 21:22). Sihon also refuses, comes out to fight, and is defeated. These events are recounted in Deuteronomy 2:26-30 and, in the words of Jephthah, in Judges 11:17-22. These two passages use the shorter expression "high way," without "king's."

Geography and Historical Background

The Hebrew term is derekh ha-melekh, which literally means "the way of the king." The road is known as a trade route running north from the region of the Gulf of Aqaba across the plateaus of Edom, Moab, and Ammon toward Damascus. Some scholars hold that a road built in the Roman period largely followed this route. One of the north-south roads in present-day Jordan also bears this name.

Scholars are divided, however, over whether "king's highway" was the proper name of a specific road. Some regard it as a general expression for a public road or main road maintained by the king. Opinions also differ regarding its precise route and the period in which it was in use.

Significance in Scripture as a Whole

These passages depict Israel's journey through the region east of the Jordan near the end of the forty years in the wilderness, before the people entered Canaan. Edom is understood to be descended from Esau, and the tension between these kindred peoples comes to the surface in this episode. The road does not appear directly in the New Testament.

Interpretation and Points of Discussion

In preaching and devotional writing, the road is sometimes interpreted as a symbol of the right path that turns "neither to the right hand nor to the left," or connected with John 14:6, where Christ speaks of himself as the way. It is also linked with "The way of holiness" in Isaiah 35:8, or with Isaiah 40:3 and the call of John the Baptist, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." These verses, however, do not use the same expression as the "king's highway" in Numbers. Such connections are therefore later devotional applications rather than what the text itself directly states. Some also hold that the kings of Genesis 14 traveled this road during their campaign, but the text makes no such reference.

In the Korean Church

The road is discussed alongside Edom's refusal in Bible studies and sermons on the wilderness journey. Holy Land pilgrimages that pass through Jordan sometimes travel through areas associated with this road.