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Jordan

Historical Location
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The river forming the eastern border of biblical Israel, site of Israel’s crossing and Jesus’ baptism

Detailed Definition
The Jordan River is a key biblical boundary and ritual site—crossed by Joshua and Elijah/Elisha, and where John baptized Jesus. It symbolizes transition, purification, and new beginnings. In poetry, especially spirituals, “crossing Jordan” means entering eternal rest, making it a powerful metaphor for death, deliverance, and divine encounter.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Psalm 114, the Jordan River “turns back” at Israel’s crossing, poetically defying nature; The Gospels depict Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan as a moment of divine affirmation; Modern spirituals sing of crossing Jordan as death and deliverance; Palestinian and Israeli poets both reference the Jordan as shared lifeline and border; Contemporary eco-verse laments the Jordan’s depletion as sacred loss.
Additional Notes
The Jordan River is central to biblical narratives: Israel’s crossing (Joshua 3), Elijah’s ascent (2 Kings 2), and Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3). In poetry, it symbolizes transition, purification, and death/rebirth (spirituals: “crossing Jordan”). Modern eco-poets lament its depletion. Students should note its contrast with the Nile or Euphrates as a modest but sacred river.
Other Meanings of “Jordan”
Also Known As
River Jordan Baptismal Waters Boundary Stream Crossing Place
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