Jordan River

The river that runs the length of the Jordan Valley from the slopes of Mount Hermon south to the Dead Sea, forming the eastern boundary of Canaan. Israel crosses on dry ground at flood stage under Joshua (Joshua 3-4) and Elijah is taken up into heaven on its far bank after he and Elisha part its waters with a rolled-up cloak (2 Kings 2). John the Baptist baptizes here at the start of all four Gospels, and the heavens open over the river when Jesus is baptized by him.