Dead Sea

Is referred in the Bible as the SALT SEA or EAST SEA or SEA of the PLAIN or SEA of the ARABAH. The references are (Numbers 34:3-12); (Dt. 3:17, 4:49); (Joshua 3:16, 12:3, 15:2-5, 18:19); (Ezekiel 47:8-11); (Joel 2:20). It is the traditional spot where Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed (Genesis 14:2-3). The Greco- Roman name was Lake Asphaltidis. In Byzantine times ships sailed upon the waters, as shown in the Madaba Mosaic Map. Another Byzantine name was the Pitch Lake.

During the Ottoman Turkish days of centuries ago, the use of boats to transport people and goods from Jordan to Palestine was a great time saver. Due to the fact that the wheel had lost its use and roads fell into disrepair east of the Jordan River, traveling was wearisome. A comfortable shortcut across the water was most helpful. Today it is referred to, as dead because of its lack of living fish, but it is very rich in valuable minerals. It has become a popular tourist place to swim The salty mud applied to the skin has medicinal properties. The sea is 40 miles long and 9 wide and 1308 feet below sea level at its lowest point. It marks the lowest spot on the surface of the Earth.