All the Jordan valley; in particular, the extremely beautiful plain of Jericho, through which the Jordan flows (see on Gen. 13:10). The word here translated “plain,” literally, “round” or “oval,” refers to the circular basin of the Jordan, particularly to that portion of it where the Jordan enters the Dead Sea. This same word is used of a round loaf of bread (see Ex. 29:23; Judges 8:5; 1 Sam. 10:3; 1 Chron. 16:3).
The countryside adjacent to the city of Jericho has always been famous for its palms and its tropical climate (see Judges 1:16; 3:13; 2 Chron. 28:15). It made an ideal winter resort.