Search the Site

Donate

Dead Sea


The lake into which the Jordan River flows. Biblical names vary: “Salt Sea” (RSV: Gen 14:3; Num 34:3; Num 12; Deut 3:17; Josh 3:16; Josh 12:3; Josh 15:2, Josh 5; Josh 18:19; NRSV: “Dead Sea”), “sea of the Arabah” (Deut 3:17; Deut 4:49; Josh 3:16; Josh 12:3), and “eastern sea” (Ezek 47:18; Joel 2:20; Zech 14:8). As a result of evaporation, it has a 25 percent mineral content and in ancient times was valued for its salt. Prophets predicted that living water would flow from the Jerusalem Temple down into the Dead Sea, making it fresh and productive (Ezek 47:1-12; Zech 14:8).

  • Powell, Mark Allan, ed. HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. Abridged Edition. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2009.