<P> In the Hebrew Bible the Jordan is referred to as the source of fertility of a large plain ("Kikkar ha - Yarden"), said to be watered like "the garden of the LORD" (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 - Zarqa), on his way back from Haran (Genesis 32: 11, 32: 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 (Joshua 13: 7, passim). </P> <P> Opposite Jericho, it was called "the Jordan of Jericho" (Numbers 34: 15; 35: 1). The Jordan has a number of fords, and one of them 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 had his brass - foundries (1 Kings 7: 46). In 2 Kings 6: 1 - 4 the Jordan valley is portrayed as a woodland region . Biblical commentator Albert Barnes suggested that "trees were rare in most parts of Palestine, but plentiful in the Jordan Valley". </P> <P> 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 (Joshua 3: 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 (Joshua 22: 10, 22: 26, et seq .). The Jordan was crossed by Elijah and Elisha on dry ground (2 Kings 2: 8, 2: 14). The prophet and wonder - worker Elisha performed two miracles at the Jordan: he healed Naaman's leprosy by having him bathe in its waters (2 Kings 5: 14), and he made an axe head lost by one of the "children of the prophets" float, by throwing a piece of wood into the water (2 Kings 6: 6). </P> <P> The New Testament states that John the Baptist baptised unto repentance in the Jordan (Matthew 3: 5--6; Mark 1: 5; Luke 3: 3; John 1: 28). These acts of Baptism are also reported as having taken place at Bethabara (John 1: 28). </P>

Where did the israelites cross the jordan river