Jabbok
See also: Ford of the Jabbok.
A stream tributary of the Jordan.
Description[edit | edit source]
The disciples, accompanied by Jesus, left Ramoth to go to Gerasa. Halfway there, they approach Mount Gilead and descend into a valley.“there is a fresh foaming torrent flowing westwards and coming from the east, in a tormented enraged way between rocks and waterfalls in dire contrast with the remote peace of the huge plateau.”[1]The description leaves no doubt: it is the Jabbok, 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 and along the Jabbok valley and they storm on caravans."[2]
Its name[edit | edit source]
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?[edit | edit source]
GRM 287 GRM 466
Learn more about this place[edit | edit source]
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.[3]
Explore[edit | edit source]
- 32° 11’ 49’’ N / 35° 50’ 32’’ E /
- +776m.
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
Article partially based on the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel, by Jean-François Lavère.