Rivers, seas & lakes · Jordan Valley
Jordan River
What was Jordan River?
The Jordan is the river Israel crossed into the Promised Land — and where John baptized Jesus.
TodayThe Jordan River, between Israel/the West Bank and Jordan
CourseMount Hermon → Sea of Galilee → Dead Sea
EventsIsrael’s crossing; Jesus’ baptism
Flowing from the slopes of Mount Hermon through the Sea of Galilee down to the Dead Sea, the Jordan marks the eastern border of the land of promise.
Its waters parted before the ark as Joshua led Israel across on dry ground, and the prophets Elijah and Elisha later parted it again. Naaman the leper was healed by washing in it seven times.
In its waters John the Baptist preached and baptized — and there Jesus himself was baptized, as the Spirit descended like a dove and the Father spoke from heaven.
Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)
Joshua 3:17 “The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over the dry ground, until the entire nation had crossed the Jordan.” 2 Kings 5:14 “So Naaman 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 like that of a little child, and he was clean.” Matthew 3:13 “At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.”
Related places
Original BibleDawn profile. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy. Scripture quoted from the public-domain Berean Standard Bible.