Ford (מִעֲבָר, maabar', and מִעבָּרָה, mabarah', a pass), a shallow place in a stream where it may easily be crossed on foot or by wading (Ge 32:23; Jos 2:2; Jg 3:28; Jg 12:5-6; Isa 16:2). SEE RIVER. The Hebrew word is also used both in the singular and in the plural with reference to the mountain pass at Michmash, between Seneh and Bozez (1Sa 14:4, and Isa 10:29). Mention is repeatedly made of the fords of Jordan (Jos 2:7; Jg 3:28; Jg 12:5-6; A.V. "passages"). These were evidently in ancient times, few in number, and well known, though now the Jordan is fordable in hundreds of places (Smith's Diet. of Classical Geogr. s.v. Palestina, page 521). SEE JORDAN. Of these, that named Bethabara (q.v.) was probably the most noted. Mention is also made of the ford of the Jabbok (Ge 32:22), and the fords of Arnon (Isa 16:2). SEE ARNON. The fords of the Euphrates (Jer 51:32) were probably the bridges across that river built by Nitocris, as the Euphrates was not fordable at Babylon (Hitzig, Exeget. Heb. ad loc.). SEE EUPHRATES.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More