Bible References: The Jordan River rises in the foothills of Mount Hermon. For most of its course it is below sea level. It features in the story of Abraham and Lot (Genesis 13.11), is crossed by the Israelites under Joshua (Joshua 3-4), was crossed by Elijah before he was taken up to heaven (2 Kings 2.8)... Naaman the Syrian dipped himself in it seven times and was healed of leprosy (5.1ff). John was baptising people in the Jordan (Matthew 3.7), including Jesus (v. 13). Today the Jordan marks the boundary between Israel and some of its Arab neighbours. Because of the difficult relatiionships, Israel's patrolled border is well back from the river. So it was not possible to visit the site where John baptised. However, Kibbutz Kinneret has build a baptism site, Yardenit, south of the bridge which crosses the Jordan where it leaves the sea of Galilee. This is used by people who wish to be baptised or to reaffirm their baptismal vows.
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The Jordan River at Yardenit - complete with Australian gum trees!
Jordan River Photos
The Jordan River at Yardenit - complete with Australian gum trees!
Baptisms in the Jordan at Yardenit.