The Bridge over the Jordan
This is a bridge over the Hasbany, one of the leading sources of the Jordan. Leaving the plain of Huleh, we crossed the bridge which tradition assigns to Roman times, but it perhaps belongs to a much later date than that. It is sorely in need of repairs. You will observe a rock-paved roadway coming down to the bridge from the right. This extends up the hill the same way; but directly over the bridge this rock road has been removed, and there is nothing now but the layer of stone which makes up the arch of the bridge to constitute a roadway. It is a wild, picturesque place. This prong of the Jordan dashes down the declivity, throwing up its spray on all sides. “We pass up a deep gorge, worn by the mountain stream and cut into a channel, at some points nearly 200 feet deep. Along its bed the stream dashes against great volcanic bowlders, while the banks are lined with oleanders, willows, honeysuckle, and other sweet and flowering shrubs. The noise of the water and the charming scent of the flowers, together with the wild natural scene, combine to make this place romantic and beautiful.” This bridge is called Jisr el Ghujar, or Jisr Benât Yâ’Kôb (Bridge of Jacob’s Daughters), and is about three miles from Tel el Kady, or Dan. Over this bridge probably ran the road from Damascus and the Hauran to the west side of the Jordan. Was it across this bridge that Saul of Tarsus passed, “breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord”? The scenery here is wild to the last degree. Under the arch of the bridge we see the wild waters of the Hasbany torn into fury as they encounter the rocks in their hurrying sweep to the south.
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