Rivers, seas & lakes · Jordan Valley

Dead Sea

What was Dead Sea?

The Dead Sea — the Bible’s “Salt Sea” — is the lowest place on earth, so salty that nothing lives in it.

TodayThe Dead Sea, between Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan
Bible nameThe Salt Sea
ElevationLowest point on the earth’s surface
NearbyEn-gedi, Sodom and Gomorrah

The Salt Sea marks the south end of the Jordan Valley. Sodom and Gomorrah lay in the plain at its rim, and after their destruction the region became a byword for barrenness.

David hid from Saul in the oasis of En-gedi on its western shore, where springs and waterfalls break the desert.

Ezekiel saw a vision of a river flowing from the temple that turns even this dead water fresh — a picture of healing without limit.

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)
Genesis 14:3 “The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).” Ezekiel 47:8 “And he said to me, “This water flows out to the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh.”
Related places
Jordan RiverSodom and Gomorrah
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Original BibleDawn profile. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy. Scripture quoted from the public-domain Berean Standard Bible.