In biblical times, the role of a "drawer of water" was a humble yet essential task, often associated with servitude and manual labor. This role is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, highlighting both the social dynamics and the spiritual symbolism of water in the biblical narrative.

Old Testament Context

The task of drawing water was typically assigned to women and servants, as seen in the account of Rebekah, who was drawing water when Abraham's servant sought a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24:11-20). This account illustrates the cultural norm of women performing this duty, as well as the hospitality and diligence expected in such tasks.

In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites, fearing the Israelites, resorted to deception to secure a peace treaty. When their ruse was discovered, they were condemned to be "woodcutters and water carriers" for the congregation (Joshua 9:21, BSB). This passage underscores the lowly status associated with being a drawer of water, as it was a task assigned to those in servitude.

Symbolic Significance

Water holds significant symbolic meaning throughout the Bible, often representing purification, life, and divine provision. The act of drawing water, therefore, can be seen as a metaphor for seeking spiritual sustenance and cleansing. In Isaiah 12:3, the prophet declares, "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation" (BSB), using the imagery of drawing water to convey the joy and renewal found in God's salvation.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the task of drawing water is mentioned in the context of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:7-15). Here, Jesus uses the act of drawing water to reveal deeper spiritual truths, offering "living water" that leads to eternal life. This interaction not only elevates the mundane task to a moment of divine revelation but also breaks social barriers, as Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman, challenging cultural norms.

Cultural and Historical Insights

The role of a drawer of water provides insight into the daily life and social structures of ancient Near Eastern societies. Wells were central to community life, serving as gathering places and essential sources of water for households and livestock. The labor-intensive process of drawing water involved lowering a vessel into a well and hauling it up, a task that required physical strength and endurance.

Theological Reflections

From a theological perspective, the role of a drawer of water can be seen as a reminder of the servanthood and humility that are central to the Christian faith. Jesus Himself exemplified servanthood, teaching His disciples that greatness in the kingdom of God is found in serving others (Mark 10:43-45). The imagery of drawing water, therefore, invites believers to embrace humility and service in their walk with God.

In summary, the role of a drawer of water, while seemingly mundane, is rich with cultural, historical, and spiritual significance. It serves as a lens through which we can explore themes of servitude, hospitality, and the transformative power of God's provision.Drawer of Water

DRAWER OF WATER

dro'-er, (sho'ebh mayim, from sha'abh, "to bale up" water): In Syria and Palestine, outside of Mt. Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon, the springs of water are scarce and the inhabitants of these less favored places have always depended upon wells and cisterns for their water supply. This necessitates some device for drawing the water. In the case of a cistern or shallow well, an earthenware water jar or a bucket made of tanned goats' skin is lowered into the water by a rope and then raised by pulling up the rope hand over hand (probably the ancient method), or by running the rope over a crude pulley fixed directly over the cistern or well. In the case of deep wells, the rope, attached to a larger bucket, is run over a pulley so that the water may be raised by the drawers walking away from the well as they pull the rope. Frequently animals are hitched to the rope to do the pulling.

In some districts where the water level is not too deep, a flight of steps leading down to the water's edge is constructed in addition to the opening vertically above the water. Such a well is pointed out near Haran in Mesopotamia as the one from which Rebekah drew water for Abraham's servant. In Genesis 24:16 we read that Rebekah "went down to the fountain, and filled her pitcher, and came up."

The deep grooves in their curbs, worn by the ropes as the water was being raised, attest to the antiquity of many of the wells of Palestine and Syria. Any one of the hundreds of grooves around a single well was many years in being formed. The fact that the present method of drawing water from these wells is not making these grooves, shows that they are the work of former times.

The drawing of water was considered the work of women or of men unfit for other service (Genesis 24:11, 13, 13 1 Samuel 9:11 John 4:7). In Syria, today, a girl servant willingly goes to draw the daily supply of water, but seldom is it possible to persuade a boy or man to perform this service. When the well or fountain is at a distance, or much water is needed, tanned skins or earthen jars are filled and transported on the backs of men or donkeys.

Water drawing was usually done at evening time (Genesis 24:11), and this custom has remained unchanged. There is no sight more interesting than the daily concourse at a Syrian water source. It is bound to remind one of the Bible stories where the setting is a wellside (Genesis 24 John 4).

The service of water drawing was associated, in early times, with that of hewer of wood (Deuteronomy 29:11). Joshua made the Gibeonites hewers of wood and drawers of water in exchange for their lives (Joshua 9:21, 23, 17). The inhabitants of Nineveh were exhorted to draw water and fill the cisterns of their fortresses in preparation for a siege (Nahum 3:14).

Figurative: Water drawing is mentioned in the metaphor of Isaiah 12:3, "Ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."

James A. Patch

Letter Lxix. To Oceanus.
... It is beside a well that Eliezer finds Rebekah. [2069] Rachel too is a drawer of
water and wins a kiss thereby [2070] from the supplanter [2071] Jacob. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxix to oceanus.htm

The War of Truth
... If it be ever so little, if it is only to be a hewer of wood and drawer of
water, do something in this great battle for God and truth. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the war of truth.htm

The Golden Rule Exemplified
... I then said: "It will be well, then, for you to make a little water gruel, and ... The
little girl went to the table drawer to get one, and her mother said to her ...
/.../the golden rule exemplified.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... on the one hand, and the reeds and clumps of rushes so common in Chaldaea on the
other; the two divinities remain inert and unfruitful, like water-plants which ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

Book iii. The Words of the Lord, I in the Father...
... The evidence of the senses of the pourer contradicts that of the drawer. They who
poured expect water to be drawn; they who draw think that wine must have been ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book iii the words of.htm

The Doctrine of Arbitrary Scriptural Accommodation Considered.
... your little ones, your wives, and the stranger that is in thy
camp,"from the hewer of thy wood, to the drawer of thy water. ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vi the doctrine of.htm

On Refuges of Lies.
... with only the sad story that the mice had found their way to his drawer and had ... If
you were to believe that you could walk on the water, or that water could ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/vii on refuges of lies.htm

Letter iv. To Olympius.
... old cloak;' [1766] a great admirer of Cleanthes, who by drawing water from the ... [1767]
Cleanthes, the Lydian Stoic, was hence called phreantlos, or well drawer. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter iv to olympius.htm

The Blessedness of Giving
... And thou shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters
fail not ... I went to look in my drawer, and was so sorry to find I had but one ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the blessedness of giving.htm

Amasiah
... She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing, and her eyes fill ... There
are cups of cold water and widows' mites and much else that a supercilious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/amasiah.htm

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