The Biblical name for the Dead Sea was Salt Sea. The average salt concentration is 28-31 percent (8 times greater than those of the oceans). The Dead Sea is approximately 1300 feet below sea level and is the lowest spot on earth (above water). The northern bay of the Dead Sea is nearly 2300 feet deep, but the southern end is very shallow. The lake itself is 47 miles long and about 10 miles wide at its maximum. The Golan Heights can be seen from here.
Due to the density of solids and chemicals in the water, the human body easily floats on the surface. Precautions about going into the water were well posted on the site.
Today the Dead Sea is valued for its potash which is used in fertilizers and soap. It is also a great resort area. Some people cover themselves with the mud from the Dead Sea. Supposedly it keeps the body youthful. The man in the picture had just finished covering his wife, son, daughter, and himself. After doing so they then sat in the sun, almost as if to let the mud bake into the skin. However, it was cool, so their skin naturally absorbed the minerals. I must admit, the mud made my feet feel really, really good. Not just this day, but for the next couple of days. Perhaps I should have purchased some bags of the mud - yes, it was for sale.
The Jordan River empties into the Dead Sea. Sadly, the Dead Sea shoreline is receding by 5 feet per year. In part this is due to less and less water emptying from the Jordan River into the Dead Sea. There is some talk of one day pumping water from the Red Sea into the Dead Sea. In the following picture you can see where the Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea.
Our guide told us the story of the old fisherman who told someone he had caught a fish in the Dead Sea. “No way,” said the man – “Nothing lives in the Dead Sea.” The fisherman said, “Give me $10 and I’ll show you the fish I caught.” The man dug deep into his pocket and said, “Show me.” As they stood in the waters of the Dead Sea, the fisherman said, “Look at yourself.” I just caught YOU.” I suppose this gives new meaning to "I will make you fishers of men [people]."
While at the Dead Sea we visited the "Lowest Bar in the World."
Some friends had told me to expect the Dead Sea to "smell" and that the water would feel "slimy." I found the exact opposite to be true. There was no foul odor and the water felt soft. Perhaps it has to do with the time of year. It was a beautiful day, a little cool to be in the water. While at the dead Sea we heard the story of Ezekiel’s vision from Ezekiel 47:1-12 (The prophet’s guide describes to him the course of the river beyond the limit of their short excursion. Leaving the temple’s east side, the waters drop through the rough country east of Jerusalem into the Arabah, the great rift valley through which the Jordan flows. This new river flows into the Dead Sea, the large salt lake more than a thousand feet below sea level, whose briny waters can support no life. Craigie, P. C. (2001, c1983). Ezekiel. The Daily study Bible series (312). Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press.)
We then ventured back to the bus where the trip back to the hotel would take us from 1300 feet below sea level to 3000 feet above sea level. I can only begin to imagine what it was like to walk this distance.The following pictures were taken from the bus as we left the Dead Sea and headed towards Jerusalem.
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