In the Hebrew Bible , the Jordan is referred to as the source of fertility to a large plain ( `` Kikkar ha-Yarden '' ) , called `` the garden of God '' ( Genesis 13:10 ) . In the Hebrew Bible the Jordan is referred to as the source of fertility to a large plain ( `` Kikkar ha-Yarden '' ) , and it is said to be like `` the garden of God '' ( Genesis ) .