Throughout "Sweat," Hurston uses biblical imagery to develop central themes in her characters' lives. One such image is that of the Jordan River, which the Israelites crossed when leaving the wilderness and entering into the Promised Land. The Jordan River serves as both an allusion and a metaphor—while it alludes to the biblical Jordan, it also metaphorically represents a crossing from the world of the living to that of the dead.
The Jordan often featured in early African American spirituals and hymns, and served as a symbol of freedom from the suffering and hardship of life under racial oppression. While walking home from a night service at her church, Delia sings:
"Jurden water, black an' col'
Chills de body, not de soul
An' Ah want cross Jurden in uh calm time."
The metaphor of the Jordan River symbolizes Delia's desire to be free of her "domestic trials" and abuse at the hands of her husband, Sykes. She dreams of "cross[ing]" the "Jurden," and thus leaving her marital troubles behind her.
In the African American spiritual tradition, the crossing of the Jordan also served as a symbol of justice for the oppressed and judgement for the oppressor. Delia, a faithful Christian, trusts that Sykes will "reap his sowing"—a biblical allusion to the day of judgment. In the final scene of the story, Delia watches Sykes "reap" the consequences of his actions:
"She waited in the growing heat while inside she knew the cold river was creeping up and up to extinguish that eye which must know by now that she knew."
At the story's conclusion, the River Jordan metaphorically represents both Sykes's crossing from life into death, and Delia's transition from an existence steeped in fear to one of freedom from her oppressor. The "cold river" Jordan acts as the agent of justice, sweeping Sykes away from Delia and cleansing her life of his presence.
