Page 7 - e-Brochure
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The Rift Valley
Jordan River
The ancient crossing point at Bethany-beyond-
the-Jordan known to Joshua, Elijah, Elisha,
John, merchants and traders and Jewish
Pilgrims from Galilee en-route to Jerusalem up
the Jericho road.
For the Children of Israel, crossing the river
from the east bank was to enter the earthly
Promised Land, whereas baptism was seen as
entering the heavenly Kingdom of God.
Today, the Jordan is still crossed at this location by the Allenby Bridge and is one of the original three biblical crossing points, the others being
at the Adam Bridge with access to Shechem and at Beth Shean connecting to the Decapolis.
Galilee
Sea of Galilee
The Hebrew name is ‘Kinor’ meaning ‘harp,’
which describes the harp shape of the lake.
Its main fresh water supply flows from the
springs of Mount Hermon into the northern
shores and exits into the Jordan River on its
southern shores.
Josephus records that during Roman times
there were some 230 fishing boats on the
lake as well as Roman naval vessels.
Visitors often witness violent late afternoon winter storms in stark contrast to the normal tranquil waters. Boats and piers are often destroyed.
Fishermen still work the shoreline early morning and sometimes at night.
