"And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Jordan Meaning in the Bible
Jordan
unisex
Jordan means "To flow down; Descender", a unisex name of Hebrew origin. Jordan appears in the King James Bible, and Joshua 3:17 is the passage most often tied to it. Jordan — 'flowing down' — represents the sacred threshold between promise and fulfillment. Every believer has a Jordan to cross, and God parts the waters for those who step forward in faith.
Is Jordan in the Bible?
Yes — Jordan appears in the King James Bible, including Joshua 3:17.
Pronunciation:/JOR-dun/
OriginHebrew
MeaningTo flow down; Descender
What does Jordan mean?
Jordan is a unisex name of Hebrew origin meaning "To flow down; Descender". Jordan means "to flow down" or "descender" in Hebrew, from the root "yarad." The Jordan River is one of the most significant geographical features in the Bible, flowing from Mount Hermon down to the Dead Sea — the lowest point on earth.
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What does Jordan mean in the Bible?
Jordan means "To flow down; Descender" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Jordan means "to flow down" or "descender" in Hebrew, from the root "yarad." The Jordan River is one of the most significant geographical features in the Bible, flowing from Mount Hermon down to the Dead Sea — the lowest point on earth.
The Jordan River marks some of Scripture's most pivotal moments. Joshua led Israel across the miraculously parted Jordan into the Promised Land. Naaman dipped seven times in the Jordan and was healed of leprosy. And Jesus Himself was baptized by John in the Jordan — the moment when the heavens opened and the Spirit descended like a dove.
Crossing the Jordan became a universal metaphor for entering into God's promises, transitioning from wilderness to abundance, and from death to new life. The river represents the threshold between old and new — the place where God's power makes the impossible possible.
Jordan has been one of the most popular unisex names for decades, beloved for its strong biblical heritage and flowing sound.
Where does Jordan appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Jordan is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Joshua 3:17. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him."
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Which books of the Bible mention Jordan?
Jordan is mentioned across 6 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Jordan?
Jordan — 'flowing down' — represents the sacred threshold between promise and fulfillment. Every believer has a Jordan to cross, and God parts the waters for those who step forward in faith.
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Promises connected to the meaning of the name Jordan:
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What names are related to Jordan?
Names like Jordan
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "To flow down; Descender" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Jordan
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Jordan
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Jordan name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Jordan appears in the King James Bible, including Joshua 3:17.
Jordan means "To flow down; Descender." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Joshua 3:17, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Jordan comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "To flow down; Descender." It appears in the King James Bible, including Joshua 3:17.
Common questions about the name Jordan
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Jordan?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Jordan?
You can read every verse where Jordan appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.