Jabbok: A pouring out, or a wrestling, one of the streams on the east of
Jordan, into which it falls about midway between the Sea of Galilee
and the Dead Sea, or about 45 miles below the Sea of Galilee. It
rises on the eastern side of the mountains of Gilead, and runs a
course of about 65 miles in a wild and deep ravine. It was the
boundary between the territory of the Ammonites and that of Og, king
of Bashan
(Joshua 12:1-5; Numbers 21:24) also between the tribe of Reuben and
the half tribe of Manasseh
(Numbers 21:24; Deuteronomy 3:16) In its course westward
across the plains it passes more than once underground. "The scenery
along its banks is probably the most picturesque in Palestine; and
the ruins of town and village and fortress which stud the surrounding
mountain-side render the country as interesting as it is beautiful."
This river is now called the Zerka, or blue river.
