Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Ford
Subjects in this Topic:
( îִòֲáָø , maabar', and îִòְáָּøָä , mabarah', a pass), a shallow place in a stream where it may easily be crossed on foot or by wading (Gen_32:23; Jos_2:2; Jdg_3:28; Jdg_12:5-6; Isa_16:2). SEE RIVER. The Hebrew word is also used both in the singular and in the plural with reference to the mountain pass at Michmash, between Seneh and Bozez (1Sa_14:4, and Isa_10:29). Mention is repeatedly made of the fords of Jordan (Jos_2:7; Jdg_3:28; Jdg_12:5-6; A.V. “passages”). These were evidently in ancient times, few in number, and well known, though now the Jordan is fordable in hundreds of places (Smith's Diet. of Classical Geogr. s.v. Palestina, page 521). SEE JORDAN. Of these, that named Bethabara (q.v.) was probably the most noted. Mention is also made of the ford of the Jabbok (Gen_32:22), and the fords of Arnon (Isa_16:2). SEE ARNON. The fords of the Euphrates (Jer_51:32) were probably the bridges across that river built by Nitocris, as the Euphrates was not fordable at Babylon (Hitzig, Exeget. Heb. ad loc.). SEE EUPHRATES.