I. Name

The name of the river of Jordan, (hay)yardēn, occurs 177 times in the OT. In the NT Ἰορδάνης is attested 15 times. The etymology of the name is debated. A derivation from the root yrd, ‘to descend’, implying an interpretation ‘the river that comes down’ (e.g. Philo, Leg. All. II:89; bBech 55a; BDB 432–434) probably rests on popular etymology. Generally, the name is interpreted as non-Semitic in origin. One proposal connects the element dan with Indo-Iranian don, ‘river’ (cf. e.g. Danube; Djnep…