Jordan River
The river of Israel — of Elias, of John, of the baptism of the Lord.
Location
The Jordan River rises at the foot of Mount Hermon in the far north of Israel, flows through the Sea of Galilee, and descends the Jordan Rift Valley to end in the Dead Sea. It is about 156 miles from source to mouth as the crow flies, but much longer in its winding course. The name 'Jordan' (Yarden in Hebrew) means 'the descender.'
Biblical importance
The Jordan is the river of the covenant crossings. Israel crossed it dry-shod under Joshua to enter the Promised Land (Joshua 3-4). Elijah and Elisha crossed it dry-shod when the mantle passed (2 Kings 2:8, 14). Naaman was cleansed in it of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:14). And Christ was baptised in it by John, in the days when John preached in the wilderness (Matthew 3).
Historical timeline
- c. 1406 BC — Joshua leads Israel across the Jordan on dry ground; twelve stones are set up at Gilgal for a memorial (Joshua 3-4).
- c. 850 BC — Elijah divides the Jordan with his mantle; he is taken up in a whirlwind; Elisha crosses back with the same mantle (2 Kings 2).
- c. 845 BC — Naaman the Syrian dips seven times in the Jordan and is cleansed (2 Kings 5).
- c. AD 26-27 — John baptises in the Jordan; Christ is baptised at 'Bethabara beyond Jordan' (John 1:28).
- Byzantine — The traditional site of the baptism (now known as Qasr el-Yahud, on the west bank, and Al-Maghtas on the east bank) becomes a great pilgrimage centre; Egeria (late fourth century) is the earliest witness.
Important biblical events
- Joshua 3-4 (KJV) The crossing under Joshua.
- Judges 12:5-6 (KJV) The 'shibboleth' incident at the fords.
- 2 Kings 2:8-14 (KJV) Elijah and Elisha; the mantle.
- 2 Kings 5:1-14 (KJV) The cleansing of Naaman.
- Matthew 3:13-17 // Mark 1:9-11 // Luke 3:21-22 (KJV) The baptism of Christ.
- John 1:28-34 (KJV) 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.'
Related People
- Christ Jesus — baptised here.
- John the Baptist — the baptiser.
- Moses — who saw the river from Nebo but did not cross.
- Joshua — who led Israel across.
- Elijah and Elisha — the two prophets of the mantle.
- Naaman — the Syrian cleansed here.
Connected Places
- Sea of Galilee — through which the river flows.
- The Dead Sea — where the river ends.
- Mount Nebo — the mount from which Moses saw the river.
- Bethabara / Bethany beyond Jordan — the traditional site of the baptism (John 1:28).
Christian tradition
- The Baptism of Christ is celebrated on 6 January (Epiphany / Theophany) in the Christian East, and on the Sunday after Epiphany in the Christian West.
- The Great Blessing of Water on that feast, in Orthodox churches, recalls the sanctification of all water when Christ went down into the Jordan.
- Every Christian baptism, wherever performed, ties the household to the Jordan.
- Christian pilgrimage to the traditional site has been continuous since the fourth century.
Household reflection
The Jordan is the household's river. Every child of the house who is baptised is, in some real sense, baptised in the Jordan.
Keep the anniversary of each child's baptism as a small household feast — the day the LORD adopted them by name.
Room connections
Where this entry meets the household in the wider house of CrossAIHub.
- Read (Library) — Read Matthew 3 aloud on Epiphany — the Gospel account of the baptism.
- Pray (Chapel) — Renew baptismal promises together each year on Easter Vigil — a household-shape rite.
- Family (Kitchen Table) — Bless a small bowl of water on Epiphany and keep it near the door — the old Christian custom of blessed water.
- Sing (Choir Room) — Sing 'Songs of Thankfulness and Praise' (Christopher Wordsworth, 1862) on the Baptism of Christ.
- Learn (Workshop) — Study the four Gospel accounts of the baptism side by side; note the Father's voice, the Spirit as a dove.
Further reading
Joshua 3-4, 2 Kings 2, 2 Kings 5, and the four Gospel baptism accounts in the KJV.
Egeria, Travels (late fourth century) — earliest Christian description of the baptism site.
Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures III (fourth century) — a great catechesis on Christian baptism.
Elsewhere in the Atlas
Continue Your Journey
Where else this page opens into the household library.