יַרְדֵּן (yar.den)
yar.den
Jordan
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 150 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew word yar-den refers to the Jordan River, the principal waterway of ancient Palestine. Its name literally means "descender," a fitting description for a river that flows rapidly from the slopes of Mount Hermon down into the Dead Sea. This etymology highlights the geographical reality of the region, where the land drops significantly in elevation as it moves southward.
Scripture uses this proper noun frequently, appearing over 150 times, particularly in the books of Joshua and Deuteronomy. The river often serves as a boundary marker for the Promised Land. In passages such as Genesis 13:10-11, Lot looks across the Jordan to see the lush plains of the east, illustrating how the water defined the fertile territories available to the Israelites.
Translators consistently render yar-den as "Jordan," maintaining its identity as a specific place rather than a general term for water. The sources note that in poetic texts like Job 40:23, the name can stand in for any large river, emphasizing its status as the most significant water source in the region. This usage underscores its role as a central feature of the biblical landscape.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jordan literally means "descender," describing a river that flows rapidly from Mount Hermon down into the Dead Sea. This geographical reality mirrors a spiritual truth: true blessing often involves moving downward, away from the heights of self-reliance toward the humility required to receive God's grace. When Lot looked across this plain in Genesis 13:10, he saw fertile land, yet his choice to settle there led him away from Abraham and ultimately into the shadow of Sodom.
For your faith journey, this word reminds us that our path often requires a descent before we can enter the fullness of God's promise. The Israelites had to cross these waters to claim their inheritance, marking a decisive shift from wandering to settling in the land God prepared. We find comfort in knowing that God guides us through these transitions, just as He led His people across the Jordan into Canaan.
Whether you are facing a season of change or seeking direction, remember that God’s plans often unfold in the valleys and low places. Trust that He is with you as you move forward, bringing life and fertility to your circumstances even when the path seems steep. May you find peace in His guidance and hope in the promises He fulfills.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 150 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Jordan131×
- of the/ Jordan8×
- [the] Jordan8×
- in the/ Jordan5×
- the/ Jordan/ towards4×
- of/ [the] Jordan4×
- and/ the/ Jordan3×
- from/ [the] Jordan1×
- O/ Jordan1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֔ן28×
- הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֑ן22×
- הַ/יַּרְדֵּֽן\׃19×
- הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֖ן17×
- הַ/יַּרְדֵּן֙13×
- יַרְדֵּ֥ן7×
- הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֗ן7×
- הַ/יַּרְדֵּן֒6×
- הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֛ן5×
- לַ/יַּרְדֵּֽן\׃3×
- לְ/יַרְדֵּ֥ן3×
- הַ/יַּרְדֵּן֮3×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 13:10
Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar.
This verse highlights the Jordan's role as a boundary of choice, where Lot’s view of the well-watered plain reveals how proximity to spiritual compromise can appear attractive.
-
Numbers 32:21
and every one of your armed men will pass over the Jordan before Yahweh until he has driven out his enemies from before him,
Here the river serves as the threshold for obedience, showing that crossing it was a necessary step in fulfilling God's command to drive out enemies.
-
Numbers 34:12
The border shall go down to the Jordan, and end at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land according to its borders around it.’”
The Jordan defines the western limit of the inheritance, acting as the final geographical marker before entering the fullness of the Promised Land.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Jordan mean?
Why is the Jordan River important in the Bible?
How is the Jordan used in poetic texts?
Every Occurrence (150 verses across 15 books)
Genesis 4 verses
Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before Yahweh…
Genesis 13:11So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves from one another.
Genesis 50:10They came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and there they lamented with a very great and…
Genesis 50:11When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous…