Figures of Speech in the Bible

Way and Path Motif in the Bible

The way and path motif uses roads, paths, walking, and ways to speak of conduct, wisdom, covenant obedience, discipleship, or access to God.

Simple Definition Technical Definition Scripture Examples JSON Data

Simple definition

The way and path motif uses roads, paths, walking, and ways to speak of conduct, wisdom, covenant obedience, discipleship, or access to God.

Technical nameWay / Path Motif
Alternate namesPath imagery; road motif; way of life; way of righteousness
Reader categoryWisdom / Way Motif
Bullinger classBiblical metaphor and wisdom discourse form / way and path
Source hintBible-study taxonomy extension; distinguish literal travel from moral, covenantal, wisdom, or Christological way-language.
Examples on page10

Technical definition

The way and path motif is a spatial and moral image-field in which walking, roads, paths, gates, direction, and way-language communicate life-orientation, wisdom, obedience, mission, salvation, or access into God’s presence.

Publication note: Examples are curated from the final Wave 46 source state. Some examples carry review notes where final Bible-text stream verification may still be prudent before public release.

Scripture examples

These examples show how Way and Path Motif functions in biblical language, rhetoric, poetry, prophecy, narrative, or theological imagery.

Gen. 18:19
certain

keep the way of the LORD

Way-language describes covenant obedience and righteousness.

Source: Draft Bible-study taxonomy extension — Wave 18, Way and Path Motif section
Review status: needs_final_review | Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and original-language/canonical context.
Ps. 1:6
certain

the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous

Two ways contrast righteous life and wicked ruin.

Source: Draft Bible-study taxonomy extension — Wave 18, Way and Path Motif section
Review status: needs_final_review | Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and original-language/canonical context.
Ps. 119:105
certain

lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

Path imagery describes the guidance of God’s word.

Source: Draft Bible-study taxonomy extension — Wave 18, Way and Path Motif section
Review status: needs_final_review | Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and original-language/canonical context.
Prov. 3:5-6
certain

he shall direct thy paths

Path imagery teaches trust and divine direction.

Source: Draft Bible-study taxonomy extension — Wave 18, Way and Path Motif section
Review status: needs_final_review | Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and original-language/canonical context.
Isa. 35:8
certain

an highway shall be there... The way of holiness

Way imagery presents restored access and holy pilgrimage.

Source: Draft Bible-study taxonomy extension — Wave 18, Way and Path Motif section
Review status: needs_final_review | Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and original-language/canonical context.
Jer. 6:16
certain

ask for the old paths

Path imagery calls Israel back to covenant faithfulness.

Source: Draft Bible-study taxonomy extension — Wave 18, Way and Path Motif section
Review status: needs_final_review | Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and original-language/canonical context.
Matt. 7:13-14
certain

narrow is the way

Way imagery contrasts destruction and life.

Source: Draft Bible-study taxonomy extension — Wave 18, Way and Path Motif section
Review status: needs_final_review | Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and original-language/canonical context.
John 14:6
certain

I am the way

Jesus identifies Himself as the exclusive way to the Father.

Source: Draft Bible-study taxonomy extension — Wave 18, Way and Path Motif section
Review status: needs_final_review | Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and original-language/canonical context.
Acts 9:2
probable

any of this way

The early Christian movement is identified by way-language.

Source: Draft Bible-study taxonomy extension — Wave 18, Way and Path Motif section
Review status: needs_final_review | Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and original-language/canonical context.
Heb. 10:20
certain

a new and living way

Way imagery describes access to God through Christ’s flesh.

Source: Draft Bible-study taxonomy extension — Wave 18, Way and Path Motif section
Review status: needs_final_review | Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and original-language/canonical context.

Machine-readable data

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