In Patriarchal times the Jordan Valley was "well watered everywhere, . . . even as the garden of the Lord." It was in this fair valley that Lot chose to make his home when he "pitched his tent toward Sodom." Genesis 13:10, 12. At the time that the cities of the plain were destroyed, the region round about became a desolate waste, and it has since formed a part of the wilderness of Judea.

I den patriarkalske tid var Jordandalen "vandrig som Herrens have". Det var denne smukke dal, Lot valgte som sit hjem, da han "drog med sine telte fra sted til sted helt hen til Sodoma". 1Mos. 13,10. og 12. Da slettens byer blev tilintetgjort, blev hele egnen lagt øde og udgjorde fra det tidspunkt en del af Judæas ørken.