Bible Dictionary
BRIDGE
A bridge is a structure for crossing a river or other gap. Bridges are mentioned in the Apocrypha and later historical sources, but no bridge is clearly described in the canonical Scriptures.
Definition
A bridge is a structure used to cross a river or other gap. The supplied material notes bridges in the Apocrypha and later historical accounts but does not identify a clearly described bridge in the canonical Scriptures.
Biblical Usage
The word occurs in 2 Maccabees 12:13. It is not otherwise found in the canonical Scriptures except possibly indirectly in the name Geshur.
Historical Background
Ancient bridges existed over the Jordan and other rivers, but the remains mentioned do not appear to date earlier than the Roman period. Judas Maccabeus reportedly built a bridge for the siege of Casphor.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>brij (gephura, 2 Macc 12:13 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) GEPHYRUN): Does not occur in the canonical Scriptures, unless it be indirectly in the proper name Geshur (geshur, 2Sa 3:3; 13:37; 15:8; 1Ch 2:23, and others). The so-called Jacob's bridge is said to mark the site where Jacob crossed the upper Jordan on his return from Paddan-aram, but, of course, does not date from the time of the patriarch. There are traces of ancient bridges across the Jordan in the vicinity of the Lake of Gennesaret, over the Arnon and over other rivers which enter the Jordan from the east; but none of them seem to date farther back than the Roman period. Na 2:6, in which the Chaldaic paraphrase renders "bridges," evidently refers to dikes or weirs. Judas Maccabeus is said to have planted a bridge in order to besiege the town of Casphor (2 Macc 12:13). Josephus (Ant., V, i, 3) tells us that the Jordan, before the passage of the Israelites, had never been bridged, evidently implying that in his own time bridges had been constructed over it, which was the case, under the Romans. The bridge connecting the temple with the upper part of the city of which Josephus speaks (War, VI, vi, 2; Ant, XV, xi, 5) probably was a viaduct.</p><p>Frank E. Hirsch</p>