Why is the Jordan River important?

Source of Holy Water and Pilgrimage Site The Jordan River plays an important role in the Old Testament as the border of the land that God gives to the Israelites. In the New Testament, John's baptism of Jesus forms a seminal moment in the life of Christ and marks a defining event in the Christian Church.



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Water from the Jordan River, located in the Middle East, is used for various purposes. These include irrigation of crops, baptisms, and general domestic use.

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The Jordan River has since biblical times been imbued with powerful symbolic meanings: it is a boundary and a crossing point, a metaphor for spiritual rebirth and salvation, and a source of holy water.

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For centuries, baptisms have been performed in the Jordan River, considered holy by many religious communities. As the site of the baptism of Jesus Christ, the Jordan River is the source of all holy water in Christianity and has for centuries attracted pilgrims from across the world.

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Although the exact spot where the water is now is not historical, like the old baptism site, it is still spiritual. It's what the Jordan River represents that is so important. It's where Christians of today can come and perform baptisms in the same river where John the Baptist performed one on Jesus 2000 years ago.

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The Israelites crossed the river during a flood stage. It is believed that at the time and taking into account historical measurements, the Jordan River was over 100 feet (30 meters) wide and more than 10 feet (3 meters) deep.

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The source of the River Jordan, the Sea of Galilee is actually a freshwater lake. It was the setting for several of Jesus' miracles, including calming the storm and walking on water.

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On the banks of the Jordan River where the Bible says Jesus was baptized, 15-foot-high reeds rustle in the wind. The site on the Jordanian side of the river looks much like the New Testament describes it when John the Baptist came to live in the wilderness, surviving on locusts and wild honey.

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The Jordan River or River Jordan, also known as Nahr Al-Sharieat, is a 251-kilometre-long river in the Middle East that flows roughly north to south through the Sea of Galilee and on to the Dead Sea. Jordan and the Golan Heights border the river to the east, while Palestine's West Bank and Israel lie to its west.



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Q – Is it safe to recreate in or near the Jordan River? A – Currently, we have a “Caution” on the Jordan River. This means that you should avoid areas of scum when boating, keep pets away, do not drink the water, and not swim.

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