Banias — easternmost source of the River Jordan

The Nahr (River) Banias is the easternmost source of the River Jordan. The source of the Banias is located at a site we know as Caesarea Philippi in the New Testament. It is well known to those who study the ministry of Jesus (Matthew 16:13-19).

Banias is located on the eastern side of the Beka or Hula Valley.  The valley is called the Beka in Lebanon, and a little further south the Hula Valley. The elevation is about 1150 feet above sea level in the foothills of Mount Hermon.

The photo below shows the place where the water emerges from the earth. Perhaps you are reminded of the text from the prophet Jeremiah:

for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13 ESV)

Getting a drink at the source. River Banias, Caesarea Philippi.

Getting a drink at the source. River Banias, Caesarea Philippi. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Other posts about this site are listed below. Check them all.

Three other rivers we have recently mention, Flea River, the Senir, and the Dan, join with the Banias to form the River Jordan.

One response to “Banias — easternmost source of the River Jordan

  1. I visited Banias in December, 1999 and I was amazed at the force, and loud sounds of the waters rushing down over the rocks, below the site of this photo. That year was very dry too. The tour boats were all mud logged at the docks on Galilee. Jack Doshier

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.