Jabbok
See also: Ford of the Jabbok.
A stream tributary of the Jordan[1]
Description
The Disciples, accompanied by Jesus, left Ramoth to go to Gerasa. Halfway there, they approach Mount Gilead and descend into a valley. “At the bottom there is a new torrent running foamily towards the west. It comes from the east in a turbulent, raging course through rocks and waterfalls, thus contrasting with the distant peace of the huge flatland”[2]. The description leaves no doubt: it is the Yabboq, which Maria Valtorta does not name here. But further on, a disciple informs Jesus of the presence of bands of robbers in this same area: “They hide in the mountains of Rabbath Ammon and Gilead, along the valley of Jabbok, and they attack caravans”[3].
Its name
Jabbok, Jabbok, Yabboq, Nahr ez Zerqa. The name "Jabbok" (or Yabboq) is generally associated with the Hebrew root meaning “to pour out” or “to flow”, which could refer to the watercourse itself pouring into the Jordan. The Arabic name "Nahr ez-Zerqa" means “the blue river,” probably referring to the color of its waters.
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 287 EMV 466
Learn more about this place
A torrent 65 km long flowing from the hills west of Amman (Rabbath-Ammon) westward through the land of Gilead. It formed the boundary between the territory of Reuben and Gad and that of Ammon. It is at the confluence of the Jabbok and the Jordan that the fight between Jacob and the angel took place, as reported in the book of Genesis 32:23-33 (see the ford of the Jabbok).
Explore
- 32° 11’ 49’’ N / 35° 50’ 32’’ E /
- +776m.