* south quarter.
Ex 23:31 Jos 15:1-12 Eze 47:13,19-23
* salt sea eastward.
The lake Asphaltites, Dead sea, or Salt sea, is, according to
the most authentic accounts, about 70; miles in length, and 18
in breadth. Viewing this sea from the spot where the Jordan
discharges its waters into it, it takes a south-easterly
direction, visible for ten or fifteen miles, when it
disappears in a curve towards the east. Its surface is
generally unruffled, from the hollow of the basin in which it
lies scarcely admitting the free passage necessary for a
strong breeze: it is, however, for the same reason, subject
to whirlwinds or squalls of short duration. The mountains on
each side are apparently separated by a distance of eight
miles; but the expanse of water at this point has been
supposed not to exceed five or six: as it advances towards
the south, it evidently increases in breadth. The acrid
saltness of its waters is much greater than that of the sea;
and of such specific gravity that bodies will float on it that
would sink in common sea-water. It is probably on this
account that few fish can live in it; though the monks of St.
Saba affirmed to Dr. Shaw, that they had seen fish caught in
it.
Ge 14:3 Jos 3:16 15:2 Eze 47:8,18
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