Topical Encyclopedia The River Jordan holds significant historical and theological importance within the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Israelites' journey into the Promised Land. The successful crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites is a pivotal event recorded in the Old Testament, symbolizing the fulfillment of God's promises and the transition from the wilderness wanderings to the inheritance of Canaan.Biblical Account The account of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River is detailed in the Book of Joshua, specifically in chapters 3 and 4. As the Israelites, led by Joshua, approached the Promised Land, they faced the formidable barrier of the Jordan River, which was at flood stage during the harvest season. Despite the natural obstacle, God provided a miraculous means for His people to cross. Joshua 3:15-17 describes the event: "Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water flowing downstream stood still, rising up in a heap a great distance away at a town called Adam, in the vicinity of Zarethan. The water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over on dry ground until the entire nation had completed the crossing." Significance The crossing of the Jordan River is laden with theological symbolism and significance. It represents God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by bringing their descendants into the land He had promised them. The event also underscores the importance of obedience and faith, as the Israelites followed God's instructions through Joshua, demonstrating their trust in His provision and power. The presence of the Ark of the Covenant, carried by the priests, signifies God's presence and leadership among His people. The Ark, representing God's throne on earth, led the way into the Promised Land, emphasizing that it was by His power and authority that the Israelites were able to enter Canaan. Memorialization To commemorate this miraculous event, God instructed Joshua to have twelve stones taken from the middle of the Jordan River, where the priests had stood, and set them up as a memorial at Gilgal. Joshua 4:20-24 records this: "And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, 'In the future, when your descendants ask their fathers, "What do these stones mean?" you are to tell them, "Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground." For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.'" This memorial served as a lasting testament to God's mighty acts and a teaching tool for future generations, ensuring that the account of God's deliverance and faithfulness would be remembered and revered. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 3:17And the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 4:1,10,11 Library The Sovereignty of God in Salvation The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality. Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest The Reaction against Egypt The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The Iranian Conquest The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal Resources Where was Jesus baptized? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Perea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Shittim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Jordan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Jordan: Crossed by a Ferry Boat Jordan: Empties Into the Dead Sea 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 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 The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |