Difference between revisions of "Jordan River" - New World Encyclopedia

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The Jordan River runs along the border between the West Bank and the Kingdom of Jordan

The Jordan River (Arabic language: Nahr Al-Urdun, Hebrew language: Ha-Yarden River) is a river in Southwest Asia flowing through the Great Rift Valley into the Dead Sea. The Jordan River, with the lowest elevation of any river in the world, rises at the Syrian-Lebanese border where the Hasbani River of Lebanon, and Banias River of Syria meet. From there it flows south through northern Israel into the Sea of Galilee and eventually empties into the Dead Sea. The river is considered the border between the State of Israel and the West Bank.

From its source to its Dead Sea destination 124 miles later (200km), the Jordan actually covers 223 miles (360 km) due to its winding course.

Historically and religiously, the Jordan River is considered to be one of the world's most sacred rivers.

Source

The Jordan River rises at the foot of Mt. Hermon from three principal sources.

The Hasbani River, the longest of the three rises near Hasbayya in Lebanon.
The Baniyas River, flowing from Syria.
The Dan River, which begins and flows inside Israel.

The Hula Valley in northern Israel is the intersection point for the source rivers, which then join and form the Jordan River. The Hula Valley plain was once lake and marshland. In the 1950s, 15,000 acres (6,000 hectares) were drained and transformed into agricultural land. The southern end of the valley has a basaltic barrier which the Jordan has cut a gorge through.

Course

From the Sea of Galilee (the point at which the main tributaries join together), the river's plain spreads to a width of approximately 15 miles (24 km). This area of terraces is known as the Ghawr (or Ghar) and is cut by wadis or rivers into towers, pinnacles and badlands. These form a maze of ravines alternating with sharp crests and rises.

From this point, Jordan's floodplain, the Zur sees a widely winding course, which accounts for the excessive lenght of the river flow in comparison to the area it traverses to reach the Dead Sea. Dams were built along the river in the Zur region, turning the former thickets of reeds, tamarisk, willows, and white poplars into irrigated fields. After flowing through the Zur, the Jordan drains into the Dead Sea through a broad, gently sloping delta.

Tributaries

The tributaries of the Jordan are:

The Hasbani River, which flows from Lebanon.
The Baniyas River, which rises from a spring at Banias at the foot of Mount Hermon.
The Dan River, whose source is also at the base of Mount Hermon.
The Ayoun River, which flows from Lebanon.
The Yarmouk River, which begins near the Golan Heights and flows to the Jordan River.
The Harod River, which joins on the right bank of the Sea of Galilee.
The Yabis River, from the left bank of the Sea of Galilee.

Geography

The Jordan River is shallow, with its high-water period lasting from January to March, while its low-water period occurs at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Its current is swift, carrying a heavy load of silt. It is unnavigable due to its precipitous upper course, its seasonal flow, and its shallow, twisting lower course.

The River's high degree of salinity is due to the existance of thermal springs, mainly in the Tiberias region on the western side of the Sea of Galilee. There is also a high concentration of gypsum. Irrigation waters often leave a salt residue in the soil.

In modern times the waters are 70 to 90 percent used for human purposes and the flow is much reduced. Because of this and the high evaporation rate of the Dead Sea, the sea is shrinking. All the shallow waters of the southern end of the sea have been drained in modern times and are now salt flats.

The waters of the Jordan are an extremely important resource to the dry lands of the area and have been a source of conflict between Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel and the Palestine.

The River Valley

The Jordan Valley runs north — south, forming part of the Great Rift Valley which extends 4,000 miles from northern Syria to central Mozambique in East Africa. The Jordan Valley itself is long and narrow, averaging only 6 miles (10 km) in width. It is much lower than its surrounding landscape, with steep, sheer, bare walls.

The Hula Valley receives approximately 22 inches (550 mm) of rainfall per year, but only about 3 inches (75 mm) fall north of the Dead Sea. The Jordan Valley is fed by rains falling on the neighboring plateaus, through the wadi system which flow through the valley.

Environmental concerns

In 1964 Israel began operating a dam that diverts water from the Sea of Galilee, a major Jordan River water provider, to the national water carrier. In the same year, Jordan constructed a channel that diverted water from the Yarmouk River, another main tributary of the Jordan River. These acts resulted in great damage to the ecosystem.

Syria has also built reservoirs that catch the Yarmouk's waters. It is feared that Yarmouk's flow into the Jordan River could dwindle to a trickle, when a dam built jointly by Syria and Jordan begins operating.

Environmentalists blame Israel, Jordan and Syria for the loss of freshwater foliage that once flourished along the river's banks. It has been replaced with saline vegetation due to the three countries replenishment of the river with sewage water, agricultural runoff and salt water,

Biblical Reference

In the Hebrew Bible, the Jordan is referred to as the source of fertility to a large plain ("Kikkar ha-Yarden"), called on account of its luxuriant vegetation "the garden of God" (Genesis 13:10).

The Bible offers scattered and indefinite references to the Jordan River. Jacob crossed it and its tributary, the Jabbok, in order to reach Haran (Gen. 32:11, 23-24). It is noted as the line of demarcation between the "two tribes and the half tribe" settled to the east (Numbers 34:15) and the "nine tribes and the half tribe of Manasseh" that, led by Joshua, settled to the west (Josh. 13:7).

Opposite Jericho it was called "the Jordan of Jericho" (Num. 34: 15, 35: 1). The Jordan has a number of ford crossings, one of which is famous as the place where many Ephraimites were slain by Jephthah (Judges 12:5-6). It seems that these are the same fords mentioned as being near Beth-barah, where Gideon lay in wait for the Midianites (Judges 7:24). In the plain of the Jordan, between Succoth and Zarthan, is the clay ground where Solomon's brass foundries were located (I Kings 7:46).

In Biblical history the Jordan appears as the scene of several miracles, the first taking place when the Jordan, near Jericho, was crossed by the Israelites under Joshua (Josh. iii. 15-17). Later the two tribes and the half tribe that settled east of the Jordan built a large altar on its banks as "a witness" between them and the other tribes (Josh. xxii. 10, 26 et seq.). The Jordan was said to be crossed dry-shod by Elijah and Elisha (II Kings 2: 8, 14). Elisha performed two other miracles at the Jordan: he healed Naaman by having him bathe in its waters, and he made the ax of one of the children of the prophets float, by throwing a piece of wood into the water (II Kings 5:14, 6:6).

The Jordan was crossed by Judas Maccabeus and his brother Jonathan Maccabaeus during their war with the Nabatæans (1 Maccabees 5:24). Soon after, the Jordan was the scene of the battle between Jonathan and Bacchides, in which the latter was defeated (I Macc. 9:42-49).

The New Testament states that John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan (Matt. 3:13).

Symbolic importance

The Jordan is a frequent symbol in folk, gospel, and spiritual music, or in poetic or literary works.

Because the Israelites made a difficult and hazardous journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in The Promised Land, the Jordan can refer to freedom. The actual crossing is the final step of the journey, which is then complete. The Jordan also can signify death itself, with the crossing from life into Paradise or Heaven.

Images to be moved later

Northern part of the Great Rift Valley as seen from space (NASA)

The Jordan River

File:Route ninety.jpg

Road sign

In spring

The Jordan River as seen from the baptism complex.

As seen At the Jordanian side of the River

Men awaiting baptism in the Jordan River near Lake Kinneret in Israel- the traditional baptism site of Jesus Christ.

Notes

Sources and Further Reading

Grunfeld, Lilach. 1997. Jordan River Dispute, Retrieved June 25, 2007.
Trobaugh, Augusta. 2004. River Jordan: a novel. New York: Dutton. ISBN 0525947558 and ISBN 9780525947554
Parry, Owen. 2001. Call each river Jordan. New York: William Morrow. ISBN 0060186380 and ISBN 9780060186388
Hay, Ralph L., and Mike Meriwether. 2004. Jordan River assessment. Lansing, MI: Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division.
Glueck, Nelson. 1946. The river Jordan, being an illustrated account of earth's most storied river. Philadelphia: Westminster Press.
Stevens, Georgiana G. 1965. Jordan River partition. Hoover Institution studies, 6. [Stanford, Calif.]: Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace, Stanford University.
Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Jordan River, Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved June 25, 2007.

External Links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to::

Jordan River

Bibliography on Water Resources and International Law. Peace Palace Library. Retrieved May 24, 2007.
Integrated Water Resources Management in the Lower Jordan Rift Valley. Smart. Retrieved May 24, 2007.
Plushnick-Masti, Ramit. September 11, 2006. Raw Sewage Taints Sacred Jordan River. Live Science. Retrieved May 24, 2007.

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@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 == Geography ==
+The Jordan River is shallow, with its high-water period lasting from January to March, while its low-water period occurs at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Its current is swift, carrying a heavy load of silt. It is unnavigable due to its precipitous upper course, its seasonal flow, and its shallow, twisting lower course.
-Its section north of the [[Sea of Galilee]] (Hebrew: כינרת ''kinneret'', Arabic: ''Bohayrat Tabaraya'', meaning Lake of [[Tiberias]]) is within the boundaries of [[Israel]] (disputed by Syria), and forms the western boundary of the [[Golan Heights]]. South of the lake, it forms the border between the [[Kingdom of Jordan]] (to the east) and the [[West Bank]] (to the west).
+The River's high degree of salinity is due to the existance of thermal springs, mainly in the [[Tiberias]] region on the western side of the [[Sea of Galilee]]. There is also a high concentration of [[gypsum]]. Irrigation waters often leave a salt residue in the soil.
-In 1964 Israel began operating a [[dam]] that diverts water from the Sea of Galilee, a major Jordan River water provider, to the national water carrier, according to Hillel Glassmam, a stream expert at Israel's Parks Authority. Also in 1964 Jordan constructed a channel that diverted water from the [[Yarmouk River]], another main tributary of the Jordan River. This resulted in great damage to the ecosystem. Syria has also built reservoirs that catch the Yarmouk's waters. In a year, the Yarmouk's flow into the Jordan River will dwindle to a trickle, once Syria and Jordan begin operating a dam they jointly built, he added. Environmentalists blame [[Israel]], [[Jordan]] and [[Syria]]. The three countries replenished the river with sewage water, agricultural runoff and salt water, Glassman said. The freshwater foliage that once flourished along the river's banks has been replaced with saline vegetation.<ref name="11Sep2006" />
+In modern times the waters are 70 to 90 percent used for human purposes and the flow is much reduced. Because of this and the high evaporation rate of the Dead Sea, the sea is shrinking. All the shallow waters of the southern end of the sea have been drained in modern times and are now salt flats.
-In modern times the waters are 70 to 90% used for human purposes and the flow is much reduced. Because of this and the high evaporation rate of the Dead Sea, the sea is shrinking. All the shallow waters of the southern end of the sea have been drained in modern times and are now salt flats.
+The waters of the Jordan are an extremely important resource to the dry lands of the area and have been a source of conflict between [[Lebanon]], [[Syria]], [[Jordan]], [[Israel]] and the [[Palestine]].
-In September 2006 there is a problem with contamination: just downstream, raw sewage is flowing into the water. Small sections of the Jordan's upper portion, near the [[Sea of Galilee]], have been kept pristine for baptisms. Most polluted is the 60-mile downstream stretch - a meandering stream from the Sea of Galilee to the [[Dead Sea]]. Environmentalists say the practice has almost destroyed the river's [[ecosystem]]. Rescuing the river could take decades, according to environmentalists.<ref name="11Sep2006" />
+=== The River Valley ===
+The Jordan Valley runs north — south, forming part of the Great Rift Valley which extends 4,000 miles from northern [[Syria]] to central [[Mozambique]] in [[East Africa]]. The Jordan Valley itself is long and narrow, averaging only 6 miles (10 km) in width. It is much lower than its surrounding landscape, with steep, sheer, bare walls.
-The waters of the Jordan are an extremely important resource to the dry lands of the area and are a [[Wiktionary:bone of contention|bone of contention]] between [[Lebanon]], [[Syria]], [[Jordan]], [[Israel]] and the [[Palestinians]].
+The Hula Valley receives approximately 22 inches (550 mm) of rainfall per year, but only about 3 inches (75 mm) fall north of the Dead Sea. The Jordan Valley is fed by rains falling on the neighboring plateaus, through the wadi system which flow through the valley.
-[[Route 90 (Israel)|Route 90]] connects the northern and southern tips of Israel and parallels the Jordan River on the western side.
+=== Environmental concerns ===
+In 1964 [[Israel]] began operating a [[dam]] that diverts water from the Sea of Galilee, a major Jordan River water provider, to the national water carrier. In the same year, [[Jordan]] constructed a channel that diverted water from the [[Yarmouk River]], another main tributary of the Jordan River. These acts resulted in great damage to the [[ecosystem]].
-----
+[[Syria]] has also built reservoirs that catch the Yarmouk's waters. It is feared that Yarmouk's flow into the Jordan River could dwindle to a trickle, when a dam built jointly by Syria and Jordan begins operating.
-The Jordan Valley is, in effect, a rift valley running north and south and forming part of the gigantic rift-valley system that extends from southern Turkey southward via the Red Sea and into East Africa. The valley itself is a long and narrow trough averaging about 6 miles (10 km) in width. Throughout its course the valley lies much lower than the surrounding landscape. The valley walls are steep, sheer, and bare, and they are broken only by the gorges of tributary wadis (seasonal watercourses).
-Although the bordering plateaus receive relatively abundant rainfall, the Jordan Valley itself is not well watered. The Hula Valley receives about 22 inches (550 mm) a year, whereas only about 3 inches (75 mm) fall north of the Dead Sea. The Jordan is fed by rains falling on the neighbouring plateaus; the waters then flow downward through rivers or wadis. The Jordan itself is shallow. Its high-water period lasts from January to March, while its low-water period occurs at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The current is relatively swift, and the river transports a considerable load of silt. The rate of flow, however, diminishes downstream as a result of evaporation losses and the seeping away of water.
+[[Environmentalism|Environmentalists]] blame [[Israel]], [[Jordan]] and [[Syria]] for the loss of freshwater foliage that once flourished along the river's banks. It has been replaced with saline vegetation due to the three countries replenishment of the river with sewage water, agricultural runoff and salt water,
-The existence of thermal springs, notably in the Tiberias region on the western side of the Sea of Galilee, as well as the concentration of gypsum, give the Jordan's waters a relatively high degree of salinity, which can leave a salt residue in the soil when the water is used for irrigation.
+== Biblical Reference==
+In the [[Hebrew]] [[Bible]], the Jordan is referred to as the source of fertility to a large plain ("Kikkar ha-Yarden"), called on account of its luxuriant vegetation "the garden of [[God]]" (Genesis 13:10).
-Navigation is impossible because of the river's precipitous upper course, its seasonal flow, and its shallow, twisting lower course.
+The Bible offers scattered and indefinite references to the Jordan River. [[Jacob]] crossed it and its tributary, the [[Jabbok]], in order to reach [[Haran]] (Gen. 32:11, 23-24). It is noted as the line of demarcation between the "two tribes and the half tribe" settled to the east (Numbers 34:15) and the "nine tribes and the half tribe of Manasseh" that, led by [[Joshua]], settled to the west (Josh. 13:7).
-The Jordan's waters are of special importance for irrigation. For a long time the water was not used, except for several oases in the bordering foothills—for example, at Jericho—which used the waters of springs that fed the river. The Ghawr region was formerly barren, desolate, and uninhabited, but the East Ghor irrigation canal—43 miles (69 km) long—was completed in 1967 on the east bank and has permitted the cultivation of oranges, bananas, early vegetables, and sugar beets on the Jordanian side of the valley. In Israel, apart from the draining of the Hula Valley and the construction of a canal from the Sea of Galilee to Bet She'an, a water-supply grid has been constructed that permits 11.3 billion cubic feet (320 million cubic metres) of the Jordan's waters to be pumped each year to the centre and south of Israel.
+Opposite [[Jericho]] it was called "the Jordan of Jericho" (Num. 34: 15, 35: 1). The Jordan has a number of ford crossings, one of which is famous as the place where many Ephraimites were slain by Jephthah (Judges 12:5-6). It seems that these are the same fords mentioned as being near Beth-barah, where Gideon lay in wait for the Midianites (Judges 7:24). In the plain of the Jordan, between Succoth and Zarthan, is the clay ground where Solomon's brass foundries were located (I Kings 7:46).
-== In the Bible ==
+In Biblical history the Jordan appears as the scene of several [[miracle]]s, the first taking place when the Jordan, near [[Jericho]], was crossed by the [[Israelite]]s under [[Joshua]] (Josh. iii. 15-17). Later the two tribes and the half tribe that settled east of the Jordan built a large altar on its banks as "a witness" between them and the other tribes (Josh. xxii. 10, 26 et seq.). The Jordan was said to be crossed dry-shod by [[Elijah]] and [[Elisha]] (II Kings 2: 8, 14). Elisha performed two other miracles at the Jordan: he healed Naaman by having him bathe in its waters, and he made the ax of one of the children of the prophets float, by throwing a piece of wood into the water (II Kings 5:14, 6:6).
-In the [[Hebrew Bible]], the Jordan is referred to as the source of fertility to a large plain ("Kikkar ha-Yarden"), called on account of its luxuriant vegetation "the garden of [[God]]" ([[Genesis]] 13:10). There is no regular description of the Jordan in the Bible; only scattered and indefinite references to it are given. [[Jacob]] crossed it and its tributary, the [[Jabbok]] (the modern Al-Zarḳa), in order to reach [[Haran]] (Gen. 32:11, 23-24). It is noted as the line of demarcation between the "two tribes and the half tribe" settled to the east ([[Book of Numbers|Numbers]] 34:15) and the "nine tribes and the half tribe of Manasseh" that, led by [[Joshua]], settled to the west (Josh. 13:7, passim).
-Opposite [[Jericho]] it was called "the Jordan of Jericho" (Num. 34: 15, 35: 1). The Jordan has a number of [[ford (crossing)|fords]], and one of them is famous as the place where many Ephraimites were slain by Jephthah ([[Book of Judges|Judges]] 12:5-6). It seems that these are the same fords mentioned as being near Beth-barah, where Gideon lay in wait for the Midianites (Judges 7:24). In the plain of the Jordan, between Succoth and Zarthan, is the clay ground where Solomon had his brass-foundries ([[Books of Kings|I Kings]] 7:46).
+The Jordan was crossed by [[Judas Maccabeus]] and his brother [[Jonathan Maccabaeus]] during their war with the Nabatæans (1 Maccabees 5:24). Soon after, the Jordan was the scene of the battle between Jonathan and [[Bacchides]], in which the latter was defeated (I Macc. 9:42-49).
-In Biblical history the Jordan appears as the scene of several [[miracle]]s, the first taking place when the Jordan, near Jericho, was crossed by the Israelites under Joshua (Josh. iii. 15-17). Later the two tribes and the half tribe that settled east of the Jordan built a large altar on its banks as "a witness" between them and the other tribes (Josh. xxii. 10, 26 et seq.). The Jordan was said to be crossed dry-shod by [[Elijah]] and [[Elisha]] (II Kings 2: 8, 14). Elisha performed two other miracles at the Jordan: he healed Naaman by having him bathe in its waters, and he made the ax of one of the children of the prophets float, by throwing a piece of wood into the water (II Kings 5:14, 6:6).
-The Jordan was crossed by [[Judas Maccabeus]] and his brother [[Jonathan Maccabaeus]] during their war with the Nabatæans ([[1 Maccabees]] 5:24). A little later the Jordan was the scene of the battle between Jonathan and [[Bacchides]], in which the latter was defeated (I Macc. 9:42-49).
 The [[New Testament]] states that [[John the Baptist]] baptized [[Jesus]] in the Jordan (Matt. 3:13).
 ==Symbolic importance==