Jordan: Plain of
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Topical Encyclopedia
The "Plain of Jordan" is a significant geographical and historical region mentioned in the Bible, primarily located in the area surrounding the Jordan River. This fertile plain has been the backdrop for numerous biblical events and narratives, serving as a critical setting for the unfolding of God's plan for His people.

Geographical Context

The Plain of Jordan is situated in the Jordan Valley, which extends from the Sea of Galilee in the north to the Dead Sea in the south. This region is characterized by its rich alluvial soil, making it one of the most fertile areas in the ancient Near East. The Jordan River, which flows through this plain, is a vital water source that has sustained agriculture and supported human settlement for millennia.

Biblical Significance

1. Abraham and Lot: The Plain of Jordan is first mentioned in the context of Abraham and Lot. In Genesis 13:10-11 , Lot chooses the Plain of Jordan for its lushness, reminiscent of "the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt." This decision leads to Lot's settlement near Sodom, setting the stage for the subsequent narrative of Sodom and Gomorrah.

2. Conquest and Settlement: The Plain of Jordan was a strategic location during the Israelite conquest of Canaan. In Joshua 3, the Israelites miraculously crossed the Jordan River on dry ground, entering the Promised Land. This event marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, symbolizing God's faithfulness and power.

3. Cities of the Plain: The region is also associated with the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 19 recounts the destruction of these cities due to their wickedness, highlighting the moral and spiritual lessons drawn from their fate.

4. John the Baptist and Jesus: In the New Testament, the Plain of Jordan is significant as the location where John the Baptist conducted his ministry of baptism. Matthew 3:5-6 describes how people from Jerusalem, Judea, and the region around the Jordan came to John to be baptized. It is also here that Jesus was baptized, marking the beginning of His public ministry (Matthew 3:13-17).

Cultural and Theological Themes

The Plain of Jordan serves as a symbol of choice and consequence, as seen in the narrative of Lot. It represents both the physical and spiritual crossroads where decisions lead to either blessing or judgment. The region's fertility and beauty contrast with the moral decay of the cities within it, underscoring the biblical theme of God's justice and mercy.

Moreover, the crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites is emblematic of transition and new beginnings, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. It signifies the movement from wilderness wandering to the inheritance of God's promises, a motif that is echoed in the believer's journey of faith.

In summary, the Plain of Jordan is a multifaceted region that plays a crucial role in biblical history. Its geographical features and the events that transpired there offer rich insights into God's dealings with humanity, illustrating themes of choice, judgment, redemption, and new beginnings.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 13:10-12
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as you come to Zoar.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew
7741. Shaveh Qiryathayim -- a plain East of the Jordan
... a plain East of the Jordan. Transliteration: Shaveh Qiryathayim Phonetic Spelling:
(shaw-vay' kir-yaw-thah'-yim) Short Definition: Shaveh-kiriathaim. ...
/hebrew/7741.htm - 6k

8289. Sharon -- a plain on the Mediterranean Sea, perhaps also a ...
... a plain on the Mediterranean Sea, perhaps also a region East of the Jordan.
Transliteration: Sharon Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-rone') Short Definition: Sharon. ...
/hebrew/8289.htm - 6k

6160. arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley ...
... prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the
Red Sea -- Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. ...
/hebrew/6160.htm - 6k

3603. kikkar -- a round, a round district, a round loaf, a round ...
... The Ghor or valley of the Jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or large
(round) coin) -- loaf, morsel, piece, plain, talent. see HEBREW karar. ...
/hebrew/3603.htm - 6k

Library

Perea. Beyond Jordan.
... of Perea was from Macherus to Pella: the breadth from Philadelphia to Jordan."
"The mountainous part of it was mount Macvar, and Gedor," &c. "The plain of it ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 91 perea beyond jordan.htm

The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
... "The space from thence to Jerusalem is desert and rocky; but to Jordan and the
Asphaltites, more plain, indeed, but alike desert, and barren.". ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 46 the country of.htm

How Vespasian Upon Hearing of Some Commotions in Gall, Made Haste ...
... This plain is much burnt up in summer time, and, by reason of the ... a very unwholesome
air; it is all destitute of water excepting the river Jordan, which water ...
/.../chapter 8 how vespasian upon.htm

Of the Words of St. Matthew's Gospel, Chap. Iii. 13, "Then Jesus ...
... to us, the notice of our God in Trinity, conveyed [1825] to us at the river Jordan. ...
the Law." [1845] Thus have ye heard him, and because it is plain and express ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon ii of the words.htm

Pamias. Paneas, the Spring of Jordan.
... speaks thus; "But they, travelling a day's journey through the great plain of Sidon,
not far from mount Libanus, and the springs of lesser Jordan, observe the ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 67 pamias paneas the.htm

A Sight of Judea
... are numbered with the valley." To the plain eastwardly joins a valley, lower than
the plain,"namely, the coast of the sea of Sodom, and at length of Jordan. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 9 a sight of.htm

How Taricheae was Taken. A Description of the River Jordan, and of ...
... them down, and cut off all the retreat they had to the wall, and turned them back
into the plain, till at ... It is divided into two parts by the river Jordan. ...
/.../chapter 10 how taricheae was.htm

Naaman the Syrian and the Jordan. No Other Stream Has the Same ...
... by the reason which distinguishes (divides) that most things are made plain to us.
But that we may receive the right interpretation about this Jordan, so good ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/28 naaman the syrian and.htm

Jesus Baptized by John in the Jordan.
... of Galilee, ^a to the Jordan [Tradition fixes upon a ford of Jordan east of ... The future
will make plain and clear the difference between us, both as to our ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xviii jesus baptized by john.htm

The Story of Israel Crossing Jordan under Joshua is Typical of ...
... in Egypt, and then began their journey, but with Joshua, after crossing Jordan on
the ... This will be plain to him who thinks of the true holy land and of the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/26 the story of israel.htm

Resources
What is the importance of the Dead Sea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why was the altar in Joshua 22:10 34 such a big deal? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Rahab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Jordan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Jordan

Jordan Valley

Jordan: Crossed by a Ferry Boat

Jordan: Empties Into the Dead Sea

Jordan: Fords of

Jordan: John the Baptist Immerses In

Jordan: John the Baptist Immerses Jesus In

Jordan: Naaman Washes In, for the Healing of his Leprosy

Jordan: Plain of

Jordan: Plain of Israelites Camped In

Jordan: Plain of Solomon's Foundry In

Jordan: Swelling of, at Harvest Time

Jordan: Swelling of, in the Early Spring

Jordan: The Waters of, Miraculously Separated for the Passage of Elijah

Jordan: The Waters of, Miraculously Separated for the Passage of Elisha

Jordan: The Waters of, Miraculously Separated for the Passage of the Israelites

the River Jordan: Despised by Foreigners

the River Jordan: Eastern Boundary of Canaan

the River Jordan: Empties Itself Into the Dead Sea

the River Jordan: Ferry Boats often Used On

the River Jordan: Fordable in some Places

the River Jordan: Moses not Allowed to Cross

the River Jordan: Often Overflowed

the River Jordan: Overflowing of, Called the Swelling of Jordan

the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over in an Appointed Order

the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: A Pledge That God Would Drive the Canaanites out of

the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: Alluded To

the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: Commemorated by a Pillar of Stones in Gilgal

the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: Commemorated by a Pillar of Stones Raised in It

the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: Preceded by Priests With the Ark

the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: Promised

the River Jordan: Passage of Israel Over: Successfully Effected

the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Baptism of Multitudes by John the Baptist

the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Baptism of Our Lord

the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Division of Its Waters to Let Israel Pass Over

the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Healing of Naaman the Leper

the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Its Division by Elijah

the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Its Division by Elisha

the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Return of Its Waters to Their Place

the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Slaughter of Moabites

the River Jordan: Remarkable Events Connected With: Slaughter of the Ephraimites

the River Jordan: The Jews had Great Pride In

the River Jordan: The Plains of Afforded Clay for Moulding Brass

the River Jordan: The Plains of Chosen by Lot for a Residence

the River Jordan: The Plains of Exceeding Fertile

the River Jordan: The Plains of Infested With Lions

the River Jordan: The Plains of Thickly Wooded

Related Terms

Jordan's (4 Occurrences)

Plains (31 Occurrences)

Swelling (14 Occurrences)

Crossing (26 Occurrences)

Bethbarah (1 Occurrence)

Beth-barah (1 Occurrence)

Abarim (8 Occurrences)

Abel-shittim (1 Occurrence)

Abelshittim (1 Occurrence)

Eastward (72 Occurrences)

City

Abel-meholah (3 Occurrences)

Abelmeholah (3 Occurrences)

Sun-rising (14 Occurrences)

Succoth (18 Occurrences)

Extremity (46 Occurrences)

Mahanaim (15 Occurrences)

Bethabara (1 Occurrence)

Cherith (2 Occurrences)

Sunrise (25 Occurrences)

Sunrising (15 Occurrences)

Eastern (22 Occurrences)

Crossed (65 Occurrences)

Refuge (111 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Merom (2 Occurrences)

Banks (11 Occurrences)

Bezer (5 Occurrences)

Baptized (52 Occurrences)

Coasts (58 Occurrences)

Reubenites (37 Occurrences)

Bethsaida (7 Occurrences)

Esdraelon

Anem (1 Occurrence)

Ammonites (97 Occurrences)

Ending (22 Occurrences)

Mizar (1 Occurrence)

Peraea

Beth-peor (4 Occurrences)

Beth-jeshimoth (4 Occurrences)

Beth-nimrah (2 Occurrences)

Bethpeor (4 Occurrences)

Bethnimrah (2 Occurrences)

Baptised (46 Occurrences)

Brink (11 Occurrences)

Bridge

Barzillai (10 Occurrences)

Ataroth (7 Occurrences)

Salim (1 Occurrence)

Soles (14 Occurrences)

Shibboleth (1 Occurrence)

Stage (5 Occurrences)

Ciccar

Sihon (34 Occurrences)

Bay (8 Occurrences)

Ramothgilead (19 Occurrences)

Ramoth-gilead (20 Occurrences)

Shittim (34 Occurrences)

Dried (66 Occurrences)

Ammon (100 Occurrences)

Beth (115 Occurrences)

Carrying (88 Occurrences)

Arnon (23 Occurrences)

Bashan (54 Occurrences)

Across (172 Occurrences)

Mount (311 Occurrences)

Capture (53 Occurrences)

Country

Ziba (13 Occurrences)

Coast (70 Occurrences)

Circuit (27 Occurrences)

District (59 Occurrences)

Passing (177 Occurrences)

Dry (217 Occurrences)

Borders (104 Occurrences)

Beyond (209 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Jordan: Naaman Washes In, for the Healing of his Leprosy
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