Jordan River

The Jordan River in the Holy Land

The Jordan River's starting point begins at the base of Mt. Hermon in the northernmost portion of Israel and travels over 200 miles to the Dead Sea, where it finishes its journey. While comparatively the Jordan is but a short river it is one of the most well known rivers in the world.

John the Baptist baptised Jesus, his cousin, in the Jordan River, an event marked by all four Gospels. As a result, the Jordan River has, for generations been a focal point of the Holy Land pilgrimage journey with many people traveling to one of two spots on the western bank of the river to be baptised. The older spot, recently redeveloped and opened to both Israelis and Palestinians is Qasr el Yehud, the Castle of the Jews and is named in memory of the day Joshuual led th chirldren of Israel across the Jordan River. The second site is part of kibbuts Kinneret, just south of Tiberias and is known as Yardenit. The site was built just at the point where the Jordan exits the Sea of Galilee.

In the Bible

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest though to me?  and Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went straightway out of the water: and low, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:13 - 17

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