Ariel Ministries: VEI - OT Major Routes Map Details

OLD TESTAMENT MAJOR ROUTES MAP

Eretz Israel is located at the crossroads of the Ancient East and these major routes where of utmost importance to commerce and military conquest. Merchant caravans traveled these ancient highways plying their wares and transporting precious goods to market. Foreign armies throughout the centuries marched these ways and did battle to secure and dominate the Holy Land.

THE VIA MARIS, or the "Way of the Sea" was the principal international route between Damascus, Syria and Egypt. From Egypt in the south, it followed the seacost until reaching the natural barrier of Nahal Kanah where it jogged east around Aphek. It then continued along the eastern edge of The Plain of Sharon until entering the Jezreel Valley and on to Megiddo. From there it headed north to Hazor and then northeast to Damascus.

THE TRUNK ROUTE

THE KING'S HIGHWAY followed the ridges along The Hill Country of the Amorites from Damascus in the north, all the way south through the lands of Bashan, Gilead, Ammon, Moab and Edom to terminate near Elat on the Red Sea. This major highway served as a secondary route from Damascus, Syria to Egypt and had important roads branching from it which headed east to Arabia.