WAY. In addition to the literal meaning of a path over which or direction in which one moves, the word is extensively used in Eng. VSS in a fig. sense, denoting behavior patterns in animal life, movements in nature, varieties of human and divine conduct, action, and intention, and attitudes, habits, customs, spirit, plans, in human and divine life.

1. In the OT the most common words are דֶּ֫רֶכְ, H2006, meaning to tread, march; אֹ֫רַח, H784, from the verb meaning to wander, journey, go; and much less frequently אֶ֫רֶץ, H824, meaning earth, land, for space, distance; מָבﯴא, H4427, meaning entrance, coming in; הֲלִיכָה, H2142, a going, way; מַעְגָּל֮, H5047, track, course of action or life. Apart from the literal sense of road, direction, path, in abundant use, it is used variously in metaphor of:

a. Natural processes: the way of lightning and thunder (Job 28:26; 38:25), movement of light (38:19, 24), the life of the ant (Prov 6:6), behavior of an eagle, serpent, a ship’s movement, a man’s courting (30:19).

b. Frequently of man’s moral conduct: of goodness (1 Sam 12:23; Pss 1:6; 119:1; Prov 2:20; 8:20); of evil (Judg 2:19; Ps 119:101, 104; Prov 4:14; Isa 55:7; Ezek 3:18, 19); sometimes without specification of moral character (Gen 6:12; 2 Chron 6:16, 30; Job 13:5; Ps 39:1; Prov 12:15; 16:29); of traditions of good or evil (1 Sam 8:3, 5; 1 Kings 15:26, 34; 22:52); of the reward of life or death for good or evil (Prov 10:17; 14:12; 15:24; 16:25; Jer 21:8).

c. Various facets of human life: a man’s course of life (Deut 28:29; Job 3:23; Pss 2:12; 37:5; Prov 3:6; Jer 10:23); his plan for life (Prov 16:9; Hos 10:13); his suffering, trial (Ps 142:3; Job 23:10); human destiny in death (Josh 23:14; 1 Kings 2:2).

d. In many instances of God’s ways: His will and command (Deut 5:33; 8:6; 10:12; 26:17; Pss 44:18; 119:15; Isa 2:3); His judgments (Isa 26:8); His purposes (Job 36:23; Pss 77:13; 103:7; Isa 55:9); His governing providences (Deut 8:2; 2 Sam 22:31, 33; Job 19:8; 26:14; Ps 18:30; Ezek 18:25).

2. NT words are ὁδός, G3847, a traveled way, road; πάροδος, G4227, a passing by; πορεία, G4512, a going; τρόπος, G5573, manner, fashion; ἔκβασις, G1676, way out. The uses of “way,” as in the OT, are of literal path or direction, with fig. uses such as the following:

a. Of moral conduct (Matt 7:13, 14; 21:32; Acts 14:16; Rom 3:16, 17; James 5:20; 2 Pet 2:15, 21).

b. Of God’s will and purposes and truth (Matt 22:16; Mark 12:14; Acts 13:10; 18:25, 26; Rom 11:33; 1 Cor 4:17; Heb 3:10; Rev 15:3).

c. In Acts “the Way” refers to the Christian faith and manner of life followed by the Lord’s disciples, and held in contempt by their enemies (9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4, 14; 24:22).

d. Of Jesus Christ, the final and perfect revealer, and in His person and by His sacrificial death, the living and personal way to God, His holiness, and salvation: teacher of the way in truth (Matt 22:16; Mark 12:14; Luke 1:79); Himself the only “Way” to God (John 14:4-6); and the One who opens up the way into the holiest by His sacrifice (Heb 9:8; 10:19, 20).