FORD (מַעֲבָר, H5044, מַעְבָּרָה, H5045). A shallow place in a stream where it may be crossed on foot. Fords were of great importance in OT times because of the absence of bridges, which were first built in large numbers by the Romans. Scripture often mentions the fords of the Jordan, which could be crossed in many places (Josh 2:7; Judg 3:28; 12:5, 6). There seem to have been two principal fords across the Jordan—at Jericho (Josh 2:7; Judg 3:28; 2 Sam 19:15), and at Bethabara, where John baptized (John 1:28 KJV). In time of flood, when the melting snows of the Lebanon mountains caused the Jordan to overflow its banks, it was impossible to cross the Jordan (Josh 3:15). Near the Dead Sea the Jordan is about 100 ft. wide, and from five to twelve ft. deep.

The crossing of the Jordan is mentioned in connection with Jacob (Gen 32:10), Gideon (Judg 8:4), David (2 Sam 10:17; 17:22), Absalom (2 Sam 17:24), and others. Under the leadership of Joshua the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry land, not by fording it since it was then in flood, but by a tremendous miraculous act of God. Jesus crossed the Jordan on numerous occasions when He journeyed between Galilee and Jerusalem by way of Perea instead of passing through Samaria.

Mention is also made in Scripture of the ford of the river Jabbok (Gen 32:22) and the fords of the river Arnon (Num 21:13; Deut 2:24; Isa 16:2).