Biblical Sites of Jordan
From Abraham and Moses to John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, the founding fathers of the three great monotheistic traditions are intimately tied to the Jordanian landscape. Little wonder then that Jordan has been a destination of religious pilgrimage for centuries. The following are some of the most significant sites associated with the Good Book.
Locating Bible References
For hundreds of years pilgrims, historians and the culturally curious have been travelling to Jordan in search of the sites of biblical importance. The eastern banks of the Jordan River alone are home to no fewer than 100 such sites. The most famous are listed here, together with the biblical reference.
‘Ain Musa or Ayoun Musa
Biblical reference Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. (Numbers 20:11)
Historical record The exact location of where Moses struck the rock is open to debate – it’s thought to be either ‘Ain Musa (Moses’ Spring;), which is north of Wadi Musa near Petra, or Ayoun Musa, near Mt Nebo.
Dead Sea
Biblical reference …while the water flowing down to the Sea of Arabah was completely cut off… (Joshua 3:16)
Historical record The Sea of Arabah (Dead Sea;), also known as the Salt Sea, is mentioned several times in the Bible.
Jebel Haroun
Biblical reference Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people: he will die there. Moses did as the Lord commanded: they went up to Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. (Numbers 10:26–27)
Historical record Mt Hor is believed to be Jebel Haroun in the Ancient City at Petra. It is also revered by Muslims as a holy place.
Jebel Umm Al Biyara
Biblical reference He [the Judean King, Amaziah] was the one who defeated ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of the Salt and captured Sela in battle… (2 Kings 14:7)
Historical record The village on top of Umm Al Biyara mountain in Petra is believed to be the ancient settlement of Sela.
Lot’s Cave
Biblical reference Now Lot went up out of Zo’ar, and dwelt in the hills with his two daughters, for he was afraid to dwell in Zo’ar; so he dwelt in a cave with his two daughters. (Genesis 19:30)
Historical record The cave where Lot and his daughters lived for years after Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt is thought to be just off the Dead Sea Highway, not far from Safi.
Machaerus
Biblical reference The King was sad, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he gave orders that her request be granted, and had John beheaded in the prison. (Matthew 14:9–12)
Historical record John the Baptist had claimed that Herod Antipas’ marriage to his brother’s wife, Herodias, was unlawful. So, at the request of Salome, Herodias’ daughter, John was supposedly killed at what’s now called Castle of Herod the Great.
Mt Nebo
Biblical reference Go up into…Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. There on the mountain that you have climbed you will die. (Deuteronomy 32:49-50)
Historical record Mt Nebo is revered as a holy place because it is where Moses is reported to have died, although his tomb has never been found.
Tell Al Kharrar
Biblical reference Then Jesus came from the Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. (Matthew 3:13)
Historical record Tell Al Kharrar is regarded as Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan where Jesus was reputedly baptised by John the Baptist.
Umm Qais
Biblical reference When he [Jesus] arrived at the other side in the region of Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. (Matthew 8:28–34)
Historical record Umm Qais is known as Gadara in the Bible, as well as in other ancient scriptures.