Gen 14:3, Num 34:3, Jos 3:16, Eze 47:8, 18 | TSK | STEP

Genesis 14:3

salt sea.

19:24; Nu 34:12; De 3:17; Jos 3:16; Ps 107:34; *marg:

Numbers 34:3

south quarter.

salt sea eastward.The lake Asphaltites, Dead sea, or Salt sea, is, according to the most authentic accounts, about 70 miles in length, and 18 in breadth. Viewing this sea from the spot where the Jordan discharges its waters into it, it takes a south-easterly direction, visible for ten or fifteen miles, when it disappears in a curve towards the east. Its surface is generally unruffled, from the hollow of the basin in which it lies scarcely admitting the free passage necessary for a strong breeze: it is, however, for the same reason, subject to whirlwinds or squalls of short duration. The mountains on each side are apparently separated by a distance of eight miles; but the expanse of water at this point has been supposed not to exceed five or six: as it advances towards the south, it evidently increases in breadth. The acrid saltness of its waters is much greater than that of the sea; and of such specific gravity that bodies will float on it that would sink in common sea-water. It is probably on this account that few fish can live in it; though the monks of St. Saba affirmed to Dr. Shaw, that they had seen fish caught in it.

Ge 14:3; Jos 3:16; 15:2; Eze 47:8,18

Joshua 3:16

rose up.

13; Ps 29:10; 77:19; 114:3; Mt 8:26,27; 14:24-33

Zaretan.

1Ki 4:12

Zartanah.

1Ki 7:46

Zarthan. the salt sea.

15:2; Ge 14:3; Nu 34:3; De 3:17The passage through the Red Sea took place in the night, when the Israelites were fleeing from the Egyptians with great trepidation: but they passed Jordan in the day-time, with previous warning, leisurely, directly opposite to Jericho, and with a triumphant defiance of the Canaanites; this passage into the promised land evidently typifying the believer's passage through death to heaven.

Ezekiel 47:8

and go down.

Isa 35:1,7; 41:17-19; 43:20; 44:3-5; 49:9; Jer 31:9

desert. or, plain.

De 3:17; 4:49; Jos 3:16

the sea.This was the Dead sea, or sea of Sodom, east of Jerusalem, in which it is said no living creature is found; or, at least, from its extreme saltness, it does not abound with fish like other seas. The healing of these waters denotes the calling of the Gentiles.

the waters.

2Ki 2:19-22; Isa 11:6-9; Mal 1:11; Mt 13:15

Ezekiel 47:18

from. Heb. from between. from Gilead.

Ge 31:23,47

Galead.

Nu 32:1; Jud 10:8

Jordan.

Ge 13:10; Job 40:23