In the context of the Bible, canals are not explicitly mentioned as they are understood in modern terms. However, the concept of irrigation and water management, which would include the use of canals, is present in the ancient Near Eastern context, particularly in regions like Egypt and Mesopotamia. These areas were known for their advanced irrigation systems, which were crucial for agriculture and sustaining large populations.

Historical Context

The ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia, which are frequently referenced in the Bible, relied heavily on irrigation to support their agricultural activities. The Nile River in Egypt and the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Mesopotamia were central to these systems. Canals and ditches were constructed to divert water from these rivers to fields, ensuring a stable water supply even during dry periods.

In Egypt, the annual flooding of the Nile deposited rich silt on the land, making it fertile. The Egyptians developed a network of canals to control the floodwaters and distribute them across their fields. This system is alluded to in the Bible, where Egypt is described as a land "where you sowed your seed and irrigated it by foot, like a vegetable garden" (Deuteronomy 11:10). This passage highlights the manual labor involved in managing water for agriculture, likely through the use of foot-operated shadufs or similar devices to lift water from canals.

Biblical References and Symbolism

While the Bible does not specifically mention canals, the concept of water management is present in various passages. In Genesis, the Garden of Eden is described as being watered by a river that splits into four headwaters (Genesis 2:10-14). This imagery suggests a divinely ordered irrigation system, symbolizing abundance and life.

The prophet Isaiah speaks of the desolation that will come upon the land, including the drying up of water sources: "The waters of the river will dry up, and the riverbed will be parched and empty" (Isaiah 19:5). This prophecy against Egypt underscores the importance of water management systems, such as canals, for the survival and prosperity of a nation.

In Ezekiel's vision of the restored temple, a river flows from the temple, bringing life to the land (Ezekiel 47:1-12). This vision can be seen as a metaphor for the life-giving power of God's presence, akin to the life-sustaining role of canals and irrigation in the ancient world.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The use of canals and irrigation in biblical times reflects the broader theme of humanity's stewardship over creation. The ability to manage and distribute water effectively was seen as a sign of wisdom and prosperity. In Proverbs, wisdom is likened to a "fountain of life" (Proverbs 13:14), emphasizing the value of knowledge and understanding in sustaining life, much like the role of canals in agriculture.

Furthermore, the reliance on irrigation systems serves as a reminder of humanity's dependence on God's provision. While human ingenuity can harness and distribute water, the ultimate source of life and sustenance is God Himself. This theological perspective is woven throughout the biblical narrative, where water often symbolizes spiritual nourishment and divine blessing.

In summary, while canals as a specific term do not appear in the Bible, the principles of water management and irrigation are integral to the agricultural and spiritual life of the biblical world. These systems underscore the themes of divine provision, human stewardship, and the sustaining power of God's creation.CANALS

ka-nalz' (ye'orim): The word "canals" occurs in several places in the Revised Version, margin (Exodus 7:19; Exodus 8:5 Isaiah 19:6 Nahum 3:8). ye'or is an Egyptian word, the designation of the Nile (Brugsch, Geogr, I, 8, 78). The proper name of the Nile as a god was Hapi. There were several common designations of the Nile, but the usual one was ye'or, Hebrew plural ye'orim. The primary meaning of ye'or in Egyptian is not certain, but its significance in use for the Nile is plain enough. All the waters in Egypt were of the Nile and this word ye'or was used to denote all of them, the Nile and all its ramifications through the whole irrigating system. Thus ye'orim, Niles, came to be used. As only the main channels of the Nile had much current, the ye'orim came naturally to convey the idea of sluggishness. In the account of the plagues (Exodus 7:19), names are used descriptively to designate the different waters of Egypt: neharoth, "flowing streams," for the main channels of the river, and ye'orim for other streams, which by contrast must mean, as it should according to its use by the Egyptians, "the sluggish streams," i.e. "canals," as it is rendered by the Revisers. This meaning of the word being thus clearly established, it is appropriately used in the Revised Version, margin in the other instances of its occurrence in like circumstances.

M. G. Kyle

2975. yeor -- stream (of the Nile), stream, canal
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition stream (of the Nile), stream, canal NASB
Word Usage canals (1), channels (1), Nile (44), Nile canals (1), river (5 ...
/hebrew/2975.htm - 6k

5104. nahar -- a stream, river
... Word Origin from nahar Definition a stream, river NASB Word Usage canals (1), current
(1), Euphrates (5), Euphrates river (1), floods (3), river (69), rivers ...
/hebrew/5104.htm - 6k

The Conquest of Babylon.
... Babylon."The River Euphrates."Canals."Curious boats."Their mode of construction."
Primitive navigation."Return of the boatmen."Extent of Babylon ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter viii the conquest of.htm

Back to Memphis
... From Syene to Pelusium the country was ramified with canals, and vast sums
and great labor were expended yearly upon their keeping. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxiii back to memphis.htm

Wesley visits Holland
... Many of the houses are as high as those in the main street at Edinburgh; and the
canals, running through the chief streets, make them convenient, as well as ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley visits holland.htm

The Angel of Death
... The shepherd dogs barked afar off, or now and then a wakened bird cheeped drowsily,
or the waters in the canals rippled over a pebbly space. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xli the angel of.htm

Canaan on Earth
... Nile overflowed its banks, and covered the land; a stock of water was then accumulated
in artificial reservoirs, and afterwards let out in canals, and allowed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/canaan on earth.htm

The Description of Jerusalem.
... There were, moreover, several groves of trees, and long walks through them, with
deep canals, and cisterns, that in several parts were filled with brazen ...
/.../chapter 4 the description of.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... The reclamation of the marsh was the first work of the new-comers. The rivers
were banked out and the inundation regulated by means of canals. ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4
... Kutur-Nakhunta conquers Larsam-Bimsin (Eri-Aku); Khammurabi founds the first Babylonian
empire; Ids victories, his buildings, his canals -- The Elamites in ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 4/title page.htm

Virtues of the Mantle. It Pleads in Its Own Defence.
... ground, or the senate-house; I keep no obsequious vigil, preoccupy no platforms,
hover about no pr??torian residences; I am not odorant of the canals, am not ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter v virtues of the mantle.htm

Geological Contemporaneity and Persistent Types of Life.
... "Rivers," said the great engineer, "were made to feed canals;" and geology, some
seem to think, was solely created to advance comparative anatomy. ...
/.../x geological contemporaneity and persistent.htm

Canals (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CANALS. ka-nalz' (ye ... circumstances. MG Kyle.
Multi-Version Concordance Canals (5 Occurrences). Exodus 7 ...
/c/canals.htm - 9k

Euphrates (36 Occurrences)
... It here has, however, its greatest width (400 yds.) and depth. Lower down the
water is drawn off by irrigating canals and into lagoons. ...
/e/euphrates.htm - 26k

Canal (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A tube or duct; as, the alimentary canal; the semicircular canals
of the ear. Multi-Version Concordance Canal (6 Occurrences). ...
/c/canal.htm - 8k

Nile (37 Occurrences)
... in the Old Testament to designate the Nile is in the Hebrew ye'or, Egyptian aur,
earlier, atur, usually translated "river," also occasionally "canals" (Psalm 78 ...
/n/nile.htm - 29k

Garden (68 Occurrences)
... indicates (Lamentations 2:6 the American Revised Version, margin), in which there
were paths winding in and out among shade and fruit trees, canals of running ...
/g/garden.htm - 38k

Tunnel (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n. .) An artificial passage or archway for conducting canals or railroads under
elevated ground, for the formation of roads under rivers or canals, and the ...
/t/tunnel.htm - 8k

Babylonia (17 Occurrences)
... It was covered with a network of canals, skillfully planned and regulated, which
brought prosperity to the land, because of the wonderful fertility of the soil ...
/b/babylonia.htm - 75k

Chebar (8 Occurrences)
... The two names are radically distinct: chabhor could not be derived from kebhar.
One of the great Babylonian canals is doubtless intended. ...
/c/chebar.htm - 10k

Stream (96 Occurrences)
... river" (Exodus 7:19; Exodus 8:5);, the Revised Version (British and American) "stream,"
the King James Version "brook"; "The streams (margin "canals") of Egypt ...
/s/stream.htm - 42k

Brook (75 Occurrences)
... contrast with ye'or to distinguish between the "flowing streams," neharoth, and
the sluggish irrigation branches of the Nile, ye'orim, "canals" (compare CANALS...
/b/brook.htm - 45k

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