Topical Bible: Water: The Jordan River

◄ Water: The Jordan River ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Jordan River holds significant historical, spiritual, and theological importance within the biblical narrative. It is one of the most prominent bodies of water mentioned in the Bible, serving as a geographical and symbolic boundary for the Israelites and playing a crucial role in several key biblical events.

Geographical Context

The Jordan River flows approximately 156 miles from its sources in the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, through the Sea of Galilee, and down to the Dead Sea. It forms a natural boundary between the land of Israel to the west and the territories of modern-day Jordan to the east. The river's name, "Jordan," is derived from the Hebrew word "Yarden," meaning "to descend," reflecting its steep descent from the highlands to the lowest point on earth at the Dead Sea.

Biblical Significance

1. Crossing into the Promised Land: The Jordan River is most famously known as the site where the Israelites, led by Joshua, crossed into the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. This event is recorded in Joshua 3:14-17, where the waters of the Jordan were miraculously parted, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground: "So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan, with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before them, and as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water flowing downstream stood still, rising up in a heap a great distance away" .

2. Elijah and Elisha: The Jordan River is also the site of significant prophetic activity. Elijah and Elisha crossed the river together before Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:8-14). Elisha later performed a miracle by parting the waters of the Jordan with Elijah's cloak, demonstrating the transfer of prophetic authority.

3. Naaman's Healing: In 2 Kings 5, the Jordan River is the setting for the healing of Naaman, a Syrian commander afflicted with leprosy. Elisha instructed Naaman to wash in the Jordan seven times, resulting in his miraculous healing: "So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy" (2 Kings 5:14).

4. John the Baptist and Jesus: The New Testament highlights the Jordan River as the location where John the Baptist conducted his ministry of baptism, calling people to repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. It is here that Jesus Himself was baptized by John, marking the beginning of His public ministry. Matthew 3:13-17 describes this pivotal event: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'" .

Symbolic Meaning

The Jordan River symbolizes transition, purification, and divine intervention. It represents a boundary between the old and the new, as seen in the Israelites' crossing into the Promised Land and Jesus' baptism marking the inauguration of His ministry. The river serves as a metaphor for spiritual renewal and the transformative power of God's presence.

Throughout the biblical narrative, the Jordan River stands as a testament to God's faithfulness, His power to deliver, and His call to holiness and obedience. Its waters have witnessed the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, making it a central and enduring symbol in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

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Joshua 3:14-17
And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
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2 Kings 2:6-8,14
And Elijah said to him, Tarry, I pray you, here; for the LORD has sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And they two went on.
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Library

Crossing the River Jordan
... who were carrying the ark dipped in the brink of the water"for the Jordan overflows
all ... and its waters rose in a heap a long distance up the river at Adam ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/crossing the river jordan.htm

The Passage of the Jordan.
... But as soon as the priests reached the river, and their feet were dipped in the
water, God divided the Jordan into two, leaving dry ground for the Israelites ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the passage of the jordan.htm

Naaman the Syrian and the Jordan. No Other Stream Has the Same ...
... they taste other waters after sacred Jordan, are led to remember with longing their
own river of salvation ... waters of Egypt, and desert the water which comes ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/28 naaman the syrian and.htm

Whether Christ Should have Been Baptized in the Jordan?
... I answer that, It was through the river Jordan that the children of Israel entered
into the ... it is said (Jn.3:5): "Unless a man be born again of water and the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ should have been 4.htm

How Taricheae was Taken. A Description of the River Jordan, and of ...
... Now when this water is kept in the open air, it is as cold as that snow which the
country people are ... It is divided into two parts by the river Jordan. ...
/.../chapter 10 how taricheae was.htm

The Story of Israel Crossing Jordan under Joshua is Typical of ...
... bringing together all that relates to the Jordan, let us look at the "river." God,
by Moses, carried the people through the Red Sea, making the water a wall ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/26 the story of israel.htm

A Little Jewish Maid.
... Why should he bathe in the Jordan River, where the water was clay-white and often
muddy, when he had his own rivers of Abana the golden and Pharpar the sweet ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/a little jewish maid.htm

'The Waters Saw Thee; they were Afraid'
... long sentence pours on, like a river escaping from ... Looking down the course, the water
flowed naturally to ... until all the nation were passed clean over Jordan'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the waters saw thee they.htm

How Vespasian Upon Hearing of Some Commotions in Gall, Made Haste ...
... in summer time, and, by reason of the extraordinary heat, contains a very unwholesome
air; it is all destitute of water excepting the river Jordan, which water ...
/.../chapter 8 how vespasian upon.htm

The Voice in the Wilderness.
... Thousands were flocking down to the river to hear the new ... three days' journey to
the Fords of Jordan, but we ... After this Jesus came down to the water's edge to ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter vi the voice in.htm