### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek name **Bēthabará**, represented by `{{G962}}`, refers to a **place on the Jordan**. It appears **1 time** across **1 unique verse** in the Bible. Derived from Hebrew, its name means **ferry-house**, identifying it as a specific geographical location.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of **Bēthabará** `{{G962}}` is in the Gospel of John. It is identified as the location **beyond** `{{G4008}}` the **Jordan** `{{G2446}}` where **John** `{{G2491}}` **was** `{{G2258}}` baptizing `{{G907}}`. This verse establishes the geographical setting for the early ministry of John the Baptist, specifying that "These things were done in **Bethabara**" [[John 1:28]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the events at **Bēthabará**:
* `{{G2446}}` **Iordánēs** (Jordan): The **river of Palestine** that serves as the primary setting for John's activities. People from Judaea and Jerusalem were baptized by him in the **Jordan** [[Mark 1:5]].
* `{{G2491}}` **Iōánnēs** (John): The central figure at this location, identified as **Joannes**. His purpose was to bear witness and prepare the way through baptism [[John 3:26]].
* `{{G907}}` **baptízō** (baptizing): The key action occurring at Bethabara, meaning **to immerse** or submerge for ceremonial ablution. This baptism was linked to repentance [[Matthew 3:11]] and was a precursor to the baptism with the Holy Ghost.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G962}}` is derived entirely from the event it locates.
* **Setting for Repentance:** **Bēthabará** is the named location for John's ministry of preaching "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" [[Luke 3:3]], grounding this pivotal phase of salvation history in a specific place.
* **Place of Witness:** The events that "were done in **Bethabara**" [[John 1:28]] immediately precede John's identification of Jesus as "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" [[John 1:29]], making it the backdrop for one of the most important testimonies about Christ.
* **Historical Anchor:** By providing a specific geographical name, the scripture anchors the ministry of John and his testimony about Jesus in a real-world setting, affirming the historical nature of the Gospel account.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G962}}` **Bēthabará** is more than just a place name. Though mentioned only once, it marks the precise location for the foundational ministry of John the Baptist. As the "ferry-house" on the Jordan, it serves as the stage where John's baptism of repentance was conducted and, most critically, where he bore witness to the identity of Jesus Christ, marking a key transition point in the biblical narrative.
TRV