The BibleGospel Companion

Salt Sea

מֶ֫לַח · me.lach · H4417Gעֲרָבָה · a.ra.vah · H6160K11 mentions in 5 books, most in Joshua (5)
Illustration — not a likeness; generated for Gospel Companion in the app's painting style — Salt Sea
Illustration — not a likeness; generated for Gospel Companion in the app's painting style

Where it is

JeruelJeruelZereth-shaharZereth-shaharCity of SaltCity of SaltArArKiriathaimKiriathaimArnonArnonSalt Seaabout 57 km across

31.54° N, 35.48° E

Coordinates and map: OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding · CC BY 4.0 · drawn without map tiles

Mentioned most in

Joshua · 5Numbers · 2Deuteronomy · 2Genesis · 12 Kings · 1
Counted from 11 references · STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

About this place

The Salt Sea, also referred to as the Sea of Arabah, is the biblical name for what is now known as the Dead Sea. It is a large, landlocked salt lake located in the Jordan Rift Valley, bordered by Israel and the West Bank to the west and Jordan to the east. The Salt Sea is fed by the Jordan River and is known for its high salt content, which makes it inhospitable to marine life. In the Bible, the Salt Sea is often used as a geographical marker, particularly in relation to the boundaries of the Promised Land (Num. 34:3, 12; Josh. 15:2, 5; 18:19). It is also mentioned in the context of historical events, such as the battle between the kings of the region and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 14:3) and the extent of Jeroboam II's territorial expansion (2Ki. 14:25). The Salt Sea's unique characteristics, including its low elevation and high salinity, have made it a significant feature in the biblical landscape.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

11 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)
GenesisChapter 14: 1 mention1 mention
Genesis 14:3All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea).
NumbersChapter 34: 2 mentions2 mentions
Numbers 34:3then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the side of Edom, and your south border shall be from the end of the Salt Sea eastward.Numbers 34:12The border shall go down to the Jordan, and end at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land according to its borders around it.’”
DeuteronomyChapter 3: 1 mentionChapter 4: 1 mention2 mentions
Deuteronomy 3:17the Arabah also, and the Jordan and its border, from Chinnereth even to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah eastward.Deuteronomy 4:49and all the Arabah beyond the Jordan eastward, even to the sea of the Arabah, under the slopes of Pisgah.
JoshuaChapter 3: 1 mentionChapter 12: 1 mentionChapter 15: 2 mentionsChapter 18: 1 mention5 mentions
Joshua 3:16the waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one heap a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even…Joshua 12:3and the Arabah to the sea of Chinneroth, eastward, and to the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, eastward, the way to Beth Jeshimoth; and on the south, under the slopes of Pisgah:Joshua 15:2Their south border was from the uttermost part of the Salt Sea, from the bay that looks southward;Joshua 15:5The east border was the Salt Sea, even to the end of the Jordan. The border of the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the end of the Jordan.Joshua 18:19The border passed along to the side of Beth Hoglah northward; and the border ended at the north bay of the Salt Sea, at the south end of the Jordan. This was the south border.
2 KingsChapter 14: 1 mention1 mention
2 Kings 14:25He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the sea of the Arabah, according to Yahweh, the God of Israel’s word, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of…

What the dictionary says

(Josh. 3:16).

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
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Sources