1. The River Jordan

The River Jordan is one of the most significant geographical features in the biblical narrative, serving as a critical boundary and a site of numerous pivotal events. It flows from the slopes of Mount Hermon, through the Sea of Galilee, and into the Dead Sea. The river is approximately 156 miles long and has been a symbol of transition and transformation throughout biblical history.

Biblical Significance:

· Crossing into the Promised Land: The River Jordan is famously known as the boundary that the Israelites crossed to enter the Promised Land. Under the leadership of Joshua, the Israelites miraculously crossed the Jordan on dry ground as the waters were stopped (Joshua 3:14-17). This event marked the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan.

· Elijah and Elisha: The Jordan River was the site where the prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Before his ascension, Elijah struck the waters of the Jordan with his cloak, and they parted, allowing him and Elisha to cross on dry ground (2 Kings 2:8). After Elijah's departure, Elisha performed the same miracle, signifying the transfer of prophetic authority (2 Kings 2:14).

· Naaman's Healing: The Jordan River was also the site of Naaman's miraculous healing from leprosy. At the instruction of the prophet Elisha, Naaman dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, and his flesh was restored (2 Kings 5:10-14).

· 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. It is here that Jesus was baptized by John, marking the beginning of His public ministry. During this event, the heavens opened, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove, with a voice from heaven declaring, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:16-17).

2. The Plains of Jordan

The plains of Jordan, often referred to in the context of the cities of the plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah, are noted for their fertility and strategic location. In Genesis, Lot chose the well-watered plains of Jordan for his dwelling, which ultimately led to his association with the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 13:10-12).

3. The Jordan Valley

The Jordan Valley is a significant agricultural region, known for its lush vegetation and strategic importance. It has been a site of numerous historical and biblical events, serving as a corridor for trade and military campaigns.

4. Symbolism and Theology

The River Jordan holds deep symbolic meaning in Christian theology. It represents a place of new beginnings, spiritual cleansing, and divine encounters. The crossing of the Jordan by the Israelites is often seen as a metaphor for entering into God's promises and the transition from the old life to the new. In Christian baptism, the Jordan River symbolizes the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

5. Modern-Day Jordan

Today, the River Jordan continues to be a site of pilgrimage for many Christians who seek to connect with the biblical events that took place along its banks. The river remains a powerful symbol of faith, transformation, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

On Jordan's Stormy Banks. CM
... 528 On Jordan's Stormy Banks. CM. ... (1117) On Jordan's stormy banks I stand, And cast
a wishful eye To Canaan's fair and happy land, Where my possessions lie. ...
/.../lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/528 on jordans stormy banks.htm

St. John Baptist 282. On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR St. John Baptist 282. On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry.
LM ... Alt. On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry. Announces that the Lord is nigh; ...
/.../st john baptist 282 on.htm

Shining Shore. Trochaic.
... Trochaic. On Jordan's Strand. (1146) ... we stand on Jordan's strand, Our friends are
passing over; And, just before, the shining shore We may almost discover. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/498 shining shore 8s &.htm

The Revolution of 1911
... Finally, Sir John Jordan's recall of all British women and children reached us,
and feeling it our duty to obey orders, we hastily boarded a few girls in ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xix the revolution of.htm

Answers to Prayer
... The family of Mr. James R. Jordan has resided in Lake View, Chicago, since the spring
of 1871. ... In April, 1876, Mrs. Jordan fell and badly fractured her hip. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/answers to prayer.htm

The Law of Change, or Mutation, Universal.
... Glance at Palestine. Where Jordan's river is the arbiter of boundaries, (behold)
a vast waste, and a bereaved region, and bootless land! ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter ii the law of change.htm

The King's Herald.
... "On Jordan's banks the Baptist's cry Announces that the Lord is nigh; Awake
and hearken, for he brings Glad tidings of the King....". ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter i the kings herald.htm

A Gracious Dismissal
... unseen. It has whispered to them within the curtains of their dying bed:
it has murmured consolation amid Jordan's swelling waves. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a gracious dismissal.htm

Morning Hymn
... O may I ever spotless be As when my stains were cleansed by Thee, Who bad'st
me 'neath the Jordan's wave Of yore my soiled spirit lave. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/ii morning hymn.htm

Hymn for those who Fast
... The first was he to testify Of that new life which man might win; In Jordan's
consecrating stream He purged the stains of ancient sin, And, as he made the body ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/vii hymn for those who.htm

Jordan's (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jordan's (4 Occurrences). Joshua 3:8 And thou
shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant ...
/j/jordan's.htm - 7k

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)
... ZAPHON. za'-fon (tsaphon; Codex Vaticanus Saphan; Codex Alexandrinus Saphon): A
city on the East of the Jordan in the territory of Gad (Joshua 13:27). ...
/z/zaphon.htm - 8k

Nimrah (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Pure, a city on the east of Jordan (Numbers
32:3); probably the same as Beth-nimrah (Joshua 13:27). It ...
/n/nimrah.htm - 8k

Joreim (1 Occurrence)

/j/joreim.htm - 6k

Realm (23 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:27 and in the valley, Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon, the
rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, the Jordan's bank, to the ...
/r/realm.htm - 14k

Chinnereth (4 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 3:17 the Arabah also, and the Jordan and the border of it, from Chinnereth
even to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah ...
/c/chinnereth.htm - 9k

Swelling (14 Occurrences)
... Of Jordan (Jeremiah 12:5), literally the "pride" of Jordan (as in RV), ie, the
luxuriant thickets of tamarisks, poplars, reeds, etc., which were the lair of ...
/s/swelling.htm - 13k

Beth (115 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Numbers 33:49 They encamped by the
Jordan, from Beth Jeshimoth even to Abel Shittim in the plains of Moab. ...
/b/beth.htm - 40k

Uttermost (48 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:27 and in the valley, Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon, the
rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, the Jordan's bank, to the ...
/u/uttermost.htm - 23k

Boundary (83 Occurrences)
... Numbers 34:12 and the border shall go down to the Jordan, and the goings out thereof
shall be at the Salt Sea; this shall be your land according to the borders ...
/b/boundary.htm - 30k

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