The modern country of Jordan has many biblical sites, where several of your favorite Biblical stories occurred. In fact, for much of ancient history, the Israelites even ruled much of the country, specifically western Jordan, which today runs along Israel’s eastern border. This is great news for tourists to Israel, as most of these sites are visible from Israel and can be experienced without even leaving the Jewish state!
Today, we will leave Jerusalem and head north along highway 90, on route to Tiberias. On the way, we will stop at the IDF Jordan Valley war monument which is merely a few kilometers from the border. This area offers a panoramic view of a large section of Jordan, specifically the Biblical Gilead mountains and Jabbok River.
The war monument itself is dedicated to the 400 soldiers who died protecting the Jordan Valley area in the War of Attrition (1967-1970), perhaps Israel’s least famous (but one of it’s most deadly) wars. Illegally occupied by Jordan starting from 1948, this land was liberated by the IDF in the 1967 war of Independence.
After Israel miraculously won the six day war against 3 powerful Arab armies, the Arabs realized that Israel could not be defeated in conventional warfare. Instead, they tried a new tactic which involved sending individual Fedayeen (Arab peasants in Jordan and Egypt) to infiltrate Israel’s border and commit acts of terrorism against army and civilian targets, in order to defeat Israel by lowering its morale. Under the instructions of Prime Minister Golda Meir, Israel developed a strategy of heavy retaliation, whereby an attack by a terrorist coming from Jordan would lead to heavy attacks against its military infrastructure and soldiers. With mounting losses to the Arab militaries and the death of President Nassar (a very anti-Semitic ruler of Egypt) the Arab countries then requested a ceasefire, which Israel accepted. Unfortunately, 400 soldiers serving in the Jordan valley lost their lives (on the Egyptian front another 1000 IDF soldiers were to be killed) although they saved thousands of lives which surely would have been lost if the terrorists been able to advance further.
From the vantage point of the memorial, one can easily see the Biblical Gilead Mountains in today’s Jordan.
This historic mountain range is mentioned many times in the bible. Joseph was sold by his brothers to a caravan of Ishmaelites (Arabs) coming from Gilead (Genesis 37:25). The tribes of Reuben and Gad, who owned large herds of cattle, requested Gilead as an inheritance for their abundant cattle, and it will be given to them (Numbers 32). In Deuteronomy 4, Ramoth in Gilead was designated as a city of refuge for inadvertent murderers (for more on city of refugees, click here). Elijah the Prophet was from Tishbi, a town in Gilead (1 Kings 17). Jepththat the Gileadite, judged Israel for six years and waged their wars from Gilead (see Judges 11 and 12).
One of the most interesting stories to take place in Gilead occurred when Jacob, living in modern day Iraq, fled from Laban with his wives (Laban’s daughters) and children, on route to Israel. At Mount Gilead, Laban overtook Jacob’s camp and was about to kill him when G-d appeared and warned him not to harm Jacob in any way (Genesis 31). Laban returned to present day Iraq, while Jacob continued on to Israel, going southwards until he reached the Jabbok river (the southern end of the Gilead mountain range).
Jacob first helped his family over the stream and then returned alone to the other side to retrieve his property. Whilst there, an Angel attacked him. According to Jewish sources, this was the protective angel of Edom (the nation composed of Esau and his descendants), who Jacob was about to confront. Ultimately Jacob prevailed, though a blow to his thigh caused him to limp for the rest of his life. This signified that many nations descending from Edom would try to harm the Jewish people throughout the coming generations, and in many cases would severely wound them. Ultimately Jacob’s descendants would never be fully annihilated, and ultimately prevail!
In addition to Mount Gilead and the Jabbok River, many other great sites in Jordan can be experienced from within Israel’s borders. In fact one site is so significant, the Chumush (Five books of Moses) finishes with it and the Book of Joshua begins with it.
To be continued…
For a sample tour itinerary which can include visiting the Jordan Valley Monument and experiencing the biblical Gilead Mountains, click here
Nosson Shulman is a journalist and Licensed Tour Guide in Israel specializing in Biblical tours. To allow tourists to experience Israel during the Corona era, he created the new hit Israel tour video series which brings Israel to the home of viewers by simulating actual tours. To check out his free sneak preview tour videos, click here. To view sample tour itineraries or to inquire about private tour opportunities with a personalized itinerary on your next trip to Israel, click here.
