The Arnon River is a significant geographical feature in the biblical narrative, serving as a boundary marker and a site of historical events. It is mentioned frequently in the Old Testament as the border between the territories of Moab and the Amorites. The Arnon flows into the Dead Sea from the east and is identified today with the Wadi Mujib in modern Jordan.

In the Book of Numbers, the Arnon is described as the boundary of Moab: "From there they set out and camped on the other side of the Arnon, in the wilderness that extends into Amorite territory. The Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites" (Numbers 21:13). This passage highlights the strategic importance of the river as a natural boundary.

The Arnon also plays a role in the conquest narratives. In Deuteronomy, Moses recounts the victories over Sihon, king of the Amorites, whose territory extended from the Arnon to the Jabbok: "Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge—from the middle of the Gorge—to the Jabbok River, which is the border of the Ammonites" (Deuteronomy 2:24).

Jabbok

The Jabbok River, known today as the Zarqa River, is another significant waterway in biblical history. It is a tributary of the Jordan River, flowing from east to west and serving as a boundary between the territories of the Amorites and the Ammonites.

The Jabbok is most famously associated with the patriarch Jacob. In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles with a divine being at the ford of the Jabbok, an event that leads to his name being changed to Israel: "So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak" (Genesis 32:24). This encounter is pivotal in Jacob's life, symbolizing his struggle and transformation.

The river also marks the northern boundary of the territory conquered by the Israelites under Moses and Joshua. As mentioned in Deuteronomy, the land taken from Sihon extended "from the Arnon Gorge to the Jabbok River" (Deuteronomy 3:16).

Jordan

The Jordan River is one of the most prominent rivers in the Bible, serving as a critical geographical and spiritual landmark. It flows from the slopes of Mount Hermon, through the Sea of Galilee, and into the Dead Sea. The Jordan is central to many biblical events and symbolizes transition and purification.

The Israelites' crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land is a key moment in their history. In the Book of Joshua, the miraculous parting of the Jordan's waters echoes the earlier crossing of the Red Sea: "As soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing" (Joshua 3:15-16). This event marks the beginning of the conquest of Canaan.

The Jordan River is also significant in the New Testament, as it is 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 affirmation: "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).

Throughout the Bible, the Jordan River serves as a symbol of new beginnings, spiritual cleansing, and divine intervention, making it a central feature in the biblical landscape.