The Dead Sea is a salt water lake located on the border between Jordan and Israel. Its Eastern shore lies in Jordan, while its Western shore lies in Israel, with its north western shore bordering the West Bank. The majority of the lake’s water flows from the northern Jordan River, with rainfall accounting for about 2-4 annually. The only way for the water to naturally escape the Dead Sea is through evaporation. It is estimated that due to the area’s harsh climate, approximately seven million tons of water evaporate each day.

In Hebrew, the Dead Sea is known as Yam Hamelach, which directly translates to the Salt Sea. This is because of the lake’s high salinity levels of about 34%. In comparison, the ocean has an average salinity level of 3.5%. This high salinity means people bathing in the sea float and life cannot be sustained within its waters.

The Dead Sea holds territorial, natural, and biblical significance. The biblical significance, in particular, is also used to argue how the lake was formed.

In Genesis, the people of Sodom and surrounding areas were said to be very evil. “G‑d overturned these cities, and the entire plain.” These actions turned the area into a salt-crusted desert and the toxic materials were said to leave the earth. The Dead Sea was then formed by the Jordan River’s waters flowing into the salt-crusted bowl. The story of Lot’s wife is also believed to take place by the Dead Sea. In this story, Lot’s wife disobeyed God and turned to stone. Formations of salt, which resemble pillars, have been called “Lot’s wife” by local tour guides. 

The Dead Sea Scrolls, found in Qumran caves in 1949, add additional significance to the Dead Sea. The scrolls, made of leather, are believed to date back to the second temple period (3 BCE – 1 CE). They provide insight to the way of life of the Essenes, a Jewish sect which fled Jerusalem to keep living their unique traditions. Today, the scrolls are housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

The Dead Sea is considered to be one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Asia. Its natural significance comes from its high salinity and mineral rich water and mud. These minerals are often believed to have medical benefits. For example, the sulfur in the water is believed to help with skin cell regeneration, removing dead skin cells, and reducing pores.

The Dead Sea’s borders with Jordan, Israel and the West Bank give it territorial significance. This is particularly apparant in regards to water rights and water diversion, which is discussed on our “lowering sea levels” page.

 

Citations:

Connolly, K. (2016, June 16). Dead sea drying: A new low-point for Earth. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36477284

Constantinoiu, M. (2021, October 19). What next for the Dead Sea?. ISRAEL21c. https://www.israel21c.org/what-next-for-the-dead-sea/

Guardian News and Media. (2019, September 6). Dead sea scrolls study raises new questions over texts’ origins. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/sep/06/dead-sea-scrolls-study-questions-origins

Israel. Seven Wonders | 7 Wonders of the World. (n.d.). https://sevenwonders.org/asia/israel/

Jetstream Max: “A funny bath” – the dead sea | national oceanic … (n.d.-a). https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/dead-max

Mann, S. (2021, May 20). A little history about the Dead Sea. Bein Harim. https://www.beinharimtours.com/a-little-history-about-the-dead-sea/

NASA. (n.d.). Saltiest Pond on Earth. NASA. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/84955/saltiest-pond-on-earth#:~:text=The%20Dead%20Sea%20has%20a,average%20salinity%20of%203.5%20percent.

Pletcher, K. (2024, February 25). Dead sea. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Dead-Sea

The significance of the Dead Sea. My Israel Guide. (2023, March 19). https://myisraelguide.com/the-significance-of-the-dead-sea/

What is G‑D? – the not-thing – essentials. (n.d.-b). https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/433240/jewish/God.htm