bridge Summary and Overview

The only hint of bridges in Scripture is the proper name Geshur, in Bashan, N.E. of the sea of Galilee. The Israelites forded their rivers, but had no bridges to cross over them. A bridge of planks on stone piers was constructed by Nitocris, 600 B.C., to connect the parts of Babylon together (Jeremiah 51:31-32; Jeremiah 50:38). The arch was known in Egypt 15 centuries B.C., yet the Romans were the first to construct arched bridges. Remains of their bridges over the Jordan and the Syrian rivers, notably at Beyrut, still exist. The most remarkable one is Jacob's Bridge over the upper Jordan near lake Hooleh.