In biblical times, rivers and their surrounding areas, often referred to as "riversides," held significant importance both geographically and spiritually. The riverside is frequently depicted as a place of life, sustenance, and divine encounter.

Geographical Significance:

Rivers in the biblical landscape, such as the Jordan, Euphrates, and Nile, were vital for the sustenance of life. They provided water for drinking, agriculture, and were essential for trade and transportation. The riverside areas were often fertile, supporting lush vegetation and serving as ideal locations for settlements. For instance, the Nile River was central to the life of ancient Egypt, and its annual flooding was crucial for agriculture.

Spiritual and Symbolic Importance:

Riversides are often depicted as places of spiritual significance and divine encounters. In the Old Testament, the Jordan River is a prominent site where significant events occur. It is at the riverside of the Jordan that Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Land (Joshua 3:14-17). The crossing of the Jordan symbolizes a transition from the wilderness into a land of promise and fulfillment.

In the New Testament, the Jordan River holds further spiritual significance as the site of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist. This event marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and is a profound moment of divine revelation. As recorded in the Berean Standard Bible, "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" (Matthew 3:16).

Riverside as a Place of Prayer and Worship:

The riverside is also depicted as a place of prayer and worship. In Acts 16:13, the Apostle Paul visits a riverside in Philippi, where he finds a group of women gathered for prayer. "On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there" (Acts 16:13). This gathering leads to the conversion of Lydia, a significant early Christian convert.

Symbol of Abundance and Blessing:

Rivers and their banks are often used metaphorically in Scripture to symbolize abundance, blessing, and the presence of God. Psalm 1:3 compares a righteous person to "a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does" . This imagery underscores the idea that proximity to the divine source, much like a tree by a riverside, results in spiritual vitality and prosperity.

Prophetic Imagery:

Prophets often use riverside imagery to convey messages of hope and restoration. In Ezekiel 47, the prophet describes a vision of a river flowing from the temple, bringing life and healing wherever it goes. This vision symbolizes the life-giving presence of God and the future restoration of Israel.

In summary, the riverside in biblical literature is a multifaceted symbol representing life, divine encounter, spiritual growth, and blessing. It serves as a backdrop for significant biblical events and teachings, illustrating the profound connection between the physical and spiritual realms.(n.) The side or bank of a river.3844. para -- from beside, by the side of, by, beside
... among (4), anyone's* (1), aside* (1), before (4), beside (6), beyond (2), contrary
(5), give (1), had (1), rather than (2), reason (2), riverside* (1), sent (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3844.htm - 8k

4215. potamos -- a river
... Word Origin from pino Definition a river NASB Word Usage floods (2), River
(2), river (6), rivers (4), riverside* (1), torrent (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4215.htm - 7k

Pagan and Christian Rome
... PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED. [Illustration: The Riverside Press]. BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY =The Riverside Press, Cambridge= 1893. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lanciani/pagan and christian rome/title page.htm

The Child Moses.
... hymn to the morning, the poor Hebrews flocked in thousands out of their little yellow
huts, to do their heavy tasks amongst the wet, brown clay by the riverside ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the child moses.htm

The City of Benares.
... The fact thus certified is entirely at variance with the conjecture made by those
who look at the crowds bathing at the riverside, and frequenting the temples ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter vii the city of.htm

Paul at Philippi
... to be gathered by his preaching will last for ever.' The mightiest thing done in
Europe that morning was when the Apostle sat down by the riverside, 'and spake ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul at philippi.htm

First Day in New York
... he could decorate a little chapel around the corner and make it look as artistic
as he could decorate a rich mansion in the most exclusive Riverside Drive. ...
/.../chapter iii first day in.htm

The Chief End of Man
... BY. GEORGE S. MERRIAM. BOSTON AND NEW YORK. HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY. The
Riverside Press, Cambridge. 1897. Copyright, 1897,. BY GEORGE S. MERRIAM. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/title page.htm

Hymns and Meditations
... Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY HO HOUGHTON. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/waring/hymns and meditations/title page.htm

Elijah and the Widow's Son.
... of God in the land, and thought indeed that she had done so; but Obadiah, the king's
officer, had hidden one hundred in caves by the riverside, and kept them ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/elijah and the widows son.htm

Mornings in the College Chapel
... BOSTON AND NEW YORK. HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY. The Riverside Press, Cambridge.
Copyright, 1896,. By FRANCIS G. PEABODY. All rights reserved. TO. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/peabody/mornings in the college chapel/title page.htm

The Great Furnace for a Great Soul
... the village to indicate antagonism to her mother's life, and disaster would surely
ensue were she not promptly drowned or thrown out to perish by the riverside ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xi the great furnace.htm

Riverside (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Riverside (4 Occurrences). ... Exodus 2:5 Pharaoh's daughter
came down to bathe at the river. Her maidens walked along by the riverside. ...
/r/riverside.htm - 7k

River (189 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath day we went forth outside of the city by a riverside,
where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down, and spoke to ...
/r/river.htm - 52k

Valleys (38 Occurrences)
... Numbers 24:6 As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes
which Yahweh has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters. ...
/v/valleys.htm - 18k

Lydia (5 Occurrences)
... She was in the habit of frequenting a place of prayer by a riverside, a situation
convenient for the necessary ablutions required by the Jewish worship, and ...
/l/lydia.htm - 12k

Gardens (14 Occurrences)
... Numbers 24:6 As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes
which Yahweh has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters. ...
/g/gardens.htm - 12k

Flowering (6 Occurrences)
... Numbers 24:6 They are stretched out like valleys, like gardens by the riverside,
like flowering trees planted by the Lord, like cedar-trees by the waters. ...
/f/flowering.htm - 8k

Fronds (1 Occurrence)
... Leviticus 23:40 On the first day, take the fruit of fair trees, branches of
palm-trees, and branches of thick trees and trees from the riverside, and be glad ...
/f/fronds.htm - 6k

Talked (79 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath we went beyond the city gate to the riverside, where we
had reason to believe that there was a place for prayer; and sitting down we ...
/t/talked.htm - 29k

River-side (2 Occurrences)
River-side. Riverside, River-side. Rivulet . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
JPS ASV). Riverside, River-side. Rivulet . Reference Bible.
/r/river-side.htm - 7k

River-plants (1 Occurrence)
... Exodus 2:5 Now Pharaoh's daughter came down to the Nile to take a bath, while her
women were walking by the riverside; and she saw the basket among the river ...
/r/river-plants.htm - 6k

What happened on Paul's second missionary journey? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Lydia in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Riverside: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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