Chapter III · Chapter 3

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

of or relating to the sky

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

a light four-wheel horse-drawn ceremonial carriage

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

having or capable of producing colors

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

plural of “descent” — a movement downward

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

a Hebrew prophet in the Old Testament who opposed the worship of idols; he was persecuted for rebuking Ahab and Jezebel (king and queen of Israel); he was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire (circa 9th century BC)

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

at any time

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

an area of northern Israel; formerly the northern part of Palestine and the ancient kingdom of Israel; the scene of Jesus's ministry

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

possessive form of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

the side or slope of a hill

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

a village in Palestine near the north end of the Dead Sea; in the Old Testament it was the first place taken by the Israelites under Joshua as they entered the Promised Land

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

by chance

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

a particular point in time

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

not one, and not any

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

above and across; more than

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

a course of conduct

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

most frequent or common

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

unfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

a hotel located in a resort area

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

plural of “rut” — a groove or furrow (especially one in soft earth caused by wheels)

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

in the near future

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

carry out

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

from that place or that time

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

having edges that are jagged from injury

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

the act of using

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading From thence he proceeded by long descents into a land tossed into numberless hills and torn up into such deep valleys that it seemed to him to be a symbol of God's anger in a moment of great provocation.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Or maybe, he said to himself, these valleys are the ruts of the celestial chariot that passed this way to take Elijah up to heaven?

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A servant he could not bring with him, for none was permitted in the cenoby, a different mode and colour of life prevailing there from any he ever heard of, but he hoped to range himself to it, and--thinking how this might be done--he rode round the hillside, coming soon into view of Bethany over against the desert.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading But in Jericho he would be as it were back in Galilee: a pleasant winter resort, to be reached easily in a day by a path through the hills, so plainly traced by frequent usage that a guide was not needed.