Joshua 12:3

And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah:

Ver. 3. And unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea.] Otherwise called the Dead Sea, or Lake Asphaltites; the water whereof is so thick, saith Josephus, than an ox, having all his legs bound, will not sink into it; and so pestiferous, that fowls flying over it fall down dead.