The Jordan River is the major river of ancient Israel. Its source begins at Banias in the foothills of Mount Hermon, it then runs south along a crack in the earth's surface called the Syro-African fault, where two tectonic plates meet. It is derived from the Hebrew words (Yarden from the verb root word Yarod, meaning to descend). The source of water for the Jordan River is the Sea of Galilee (Kineret). It is bordered with trees and shrubs, such as, Apple of Sodom, Tamarisk, Rhododendron, and Angus Castus. It contains twenty-two species of fish. The Jordan River is more than thirteen miles in length and a bridge, which connects Damascus to Galilee, crosses it. The river floods occur from February to May. The Jordan River ends in the Dead Sea. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptize by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. (Matthew 3:5-6). Jesus Christ traveled south to Jordan River to meet John the Baptist who was baptizing in the Jordan river all who would come and repent of their sins. Jesus Christ was then baptized in the Bethany across the Jordan River (John 1.28). Natural water no longer flows along most of the Jordan river. The northern part of the river, between the Sea of Galilee and the meeting of the Jordan and Yarmukh, where the Yardenit Baptismal Site is located, is the only place where it is still possible to be baptized in the flowing water of the Jordan river. Today Pilgrims to the Holy Land visit the Baptismal Site (Yardenit) and be baptized in the waters of the Jordan. The Yardenit Baptismal Site is located at the southern exit of the Sea of Galilee, just behind the gate of the Dam that is used on rainy winters to lower the level of the lake. The baptism site has a large parking lot, convenient dressing rooms, stairway to walk down into the waters, a restaurant and a shop. The Google Map is centered on the Yardenit Baptismal Site.
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The easy way to get to the Jordan River, is to fly into the Ben Gurion International Airport. The airport is close to Jerusalem, which is about 5 miles away. You probably want to stay near Jerusalem. The Ben Gurion International Airport, (IATA: TLV, ICAO: LLBG), also referred to by its Hebrew acronym Natbag, is the largest and busiest international airport in Israel. It was named the best airport in the Middle East by the ACI organisation.[ The airport is located near the city of Lod, 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Tel Aviv. It is operated by the Israel Airports Authority, a government-owned corporation that manages all public airports and border crossings in the State of Israel. The Ben Gurion International Airport is considered one of the world's most secure airports, with a security force that includes both police officers and IDF soldiers. There are several hotels in or near Jerusalem. There are several Guided Tour Agencies offering standard city, and historical tours of Jerusalem, Israel and the surrounding areas. After arranging your flight we would suggest getting your hotel and then letting them arrange tours of the area for you. If you call the hotels Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you. I do this all the time. It is safe and it works!!! I have never experienced a problem doing it this way! I have links to Expedia.com on our page so that you can arrange your flight and hotel in the Jerusalem, & Jordan River, Israel area.
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| Yardenit Baptismal Site | Jordan River |
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| Yardenit Baptismal Site | Yardenit Baptismal Site |
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| Baptism Of Jesus Christ | Baptism Of Jesus Christ |
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