Bible Dictionary
Ford
A ford is a shallow place where people, animals, or armies can cross a river. Fords of the Jordan, Jabbok, Arnon, and Euphrates were important in biblical journeys, pursuits, battles, and escapes.
Definition
A ford is a place where a river or stream can be crossed. Fords were especially important where bridges were absent and where rivers became difficult or impossible to cross during floods.
Biblical Usage
Biblical narratives mention fords of the Jordan, Jabbok, Arnon, and Euphrates in connection with journeys, pursuit, escape, and military movements. The Jordan’s fords appear in accounts involving the spies, Jacob, Gideon, David, Absalom, and others.
Historical Background
The Jordan was about 100 feet wide and five to twelve feet deep in the described region, and its flood conditions could make it impassable. The lower Jordan therefore had strategically important crossing places.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Mention is frequently made of the fords of the Jordan (Josh. 2:7; Judg. 3:28; 12:5, 6), which must have been very numerous; about fifty perhaps. The most notable was that of Bethabara. Mention is also made of the ford of the Jabbok (Gen. 32:22), and of the fords of Arnon (Isa. 16:2) and of the Euphrates (Jer. 51:32).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ford (ma`abhar (Ge 32:22; "pass" (of Michmash), 1Sa 13:23; "stroke" (the Revised Version, margin "passing"), Isa 30:32); ma`barah (Jos 2:7; Jud 3:28; 12:5,6; Isa 16:2 "pass" (of Michmash), 1Sa 14:4; "passages" (the Revised Version, margin "fords"), Jer 51:32); `abharah (2Sa 15:28; 17:16; "ferry-boat" (the Revised Version, margin "convoy"), 2Sa 19:18); from `abhar, "to pass over"; compare Arabic `abar, "to pass over" and ma`bar, "a ford"):</p><p>In the journeyings of the children of Israel, in addition to the miraculous passages of the Red Sea and the Jordan, they had other streams to pass over, especially the Zered (Chisa') and the Arnon (Maujib) (Nu 21:12,13; De 2:24). The Jabbok (Zarqa) is frequently referred to, particularly in connection with Jacob (Ge 32:22). The most frequent references are to the Jordan which, in time of flood, was impassable (Jos 3:15).</p><p>The lower Jordan is about 100 ft. wide, and from 5 to 12 ft. deep, so that in the absence of bridges, the places where it was possible to ford were of great importance. The passage of the Jordan is referred to in connection with Jacob (Ge 32:10), Gideon (Jud 8:4), the children of Ammon (Jud 10:9), Abner and his men (2Sa 2:29), David (2Sa 10:17; 17:22), Absalom (2Sa 17:24), and others. Jesus undoubtedly crossed the Jordan, and John is thought to have baptized at the ford of the Jordan near Jericho. The fords of the Jordan are specifically mentioned in Jos 2:7 in connection with the pursuit of the spies who were hidden in Rahab's house, and in 2Sa 15:28; 17:16 in connection with the flight of David. In the last two passages we have abharah, the same word which, in the account of David's return (2Sa 19:18), is rendered "ferry-boat" (the Revised Version, margin "convoy").</p><p>See JORDAN.</p><p>Alfred Ely Day</p>