Definition and Context
Irrigation refers to the artificial application of water to the land or soil, primarily to assist in the growth of crops. In biblical times, irrigation was a crucial agricultural practice, especially in arid regions where rainfall was insufficient to sustain crops. The practice of irrigation is not explicitly detailed in the Bible, but its importance can be inferred from various passages that describe agricultural activities and the significance of water in sustaining life and prosperity.

Biblical References
While the Bible does not provide a direct account of irrigation techniques, it does mention the necessity of water for agriculture and the prosperity it brings. In Genesis 2:10, the Garden of Eden is described as being watered by a river: "A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it branched into four headwaters." This passage highlights the importance of a reliable water source for the flourishing of the garden.

In Deuteronomy 11:10-11, the contrast between Egypt and the Promised Land is described: "For the land you are entering to possess is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and irrigated by hand as in a vegetable garden. But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven." This passage suggests that in Egypt, irrigation was a manual process, likely involving the use of the Nile River, whereas the Promised Land relied on rain provided by God.

Historical and Cultural Background
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, irrigation was a well-established practice. The Egyptians, for example, developed sophisticated irrigation systems to harness the waters of the Nile. Similarly, the Mesopotamians constructed canals and dikes to manage the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. These systems allowed for the cultivation of crops in otherwise inhospitable environments.

The Israelites, upon entering Canaan, encountered a land with a different agricultural system. The reliance on rainwater, as opposed to the manual irrigation of Egypt, required a deep trust in God's provision. This dependence on divine blessing for rain is reflected in the agricultural laws and festivals, such as the Feast of Tabernacles, which celebrated the harvest and acknowledged God's provision (Leviticus 23:39-43).

Spiritual Significance
Water, in the Bible, often symbolizes life, blessing, and the sustenance provided by God. The imagery of irrigation can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment and growth. In Isaiah 58:11, the prophet speaks of God's guidance and provision: "The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." This verse uses the imagery of a well-watered garden to describe the flourishing life of those who are guided by God.

In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the source of living water, offering spiritual sustenance that leads to eternal life (John 4:14). This spiritual irrigation is essential for the believer's growth and fruitfulness in the Christian life.

Conclusion
The concept of irrigation, while not explicitly detailed in the Bible, is woven into the fabric of biblical narratives and teachings. It underscores the dependence on God's provision for both physical and spiritual sustenance, highlighting the importance of water in the life of God's people.1. (v. t.) To water artificially; to wet; to moisten with running water; to bedew.

2. (v. t.) To water, as land, by causing a stream to flow upon, over, or through it, as in artificial channels.

4222. potizo -- to give to drink
... potizo Phonetic Spelling: (pot-id'-zo) Short Definition: I cause to drink, give
to drink Definition: I cause to drink, give to drink; irrigate, water. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4222.htm - 7k8248. shaqah -- cause to drink water, give to drink
... give me to drink (2), give them to drink (1), give drink (2), given (1), given to
drink (1), given us to drink (1), giving him a drink (1), irrigate (1), made ...
/hebrew/8248.htm - 6k

The Early Training of a Race.
... In the springtime these valleys are covered by a sparse vegetation; from a few
perennial springs flow waters that irrigate the immediately surrounding land ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xi the early training.htm

This Perverse Doctrine Deprives Baptism of all Its Grace if ...
... salvation! [2672] No farmer will irrigate ground that will yield him no fruit
in return, except he be as stupid as Marcion's god. Why ...
/.../chapter xxviii this perverse doctrine deprives.htm

From the Latin.
... And this Jordan, according to the form of heavenly things, may appear to water and
irrigate thirsty souls, and the senses that are adjacent to it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen de principiis/from the latin.htm

Let no one Think However that Herein we Depreciate Marriage as an ...
... Whenever the husbandman, in order to irrigate a particular spot, is bringing the
stream thither, but there is need before it gets there of a small outlet, he ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter viii let no one.htm

Preface --The Author's Object --The Utility of Written ...
... Accordingly in "The Laws," the philosopher who learned from the Hebrews, Plato,
commands husbandmen not to irrigate or take water from others, until they have ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter i prefacethe authors objectthe utility.htm

On the Worthy Praise of the Pure Queen of Heaven.
... above every paradise in whom the dead again live, if they only taste His fruit from
whose hands, feet, and side the living fountains which irrigate all the ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xvi on the worthy.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... Mount Elvend shelters it, and feeds with its snows the streams that irrigate it,
whose waters transform the whole country round into one vast orchard. ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Thirst and Satisfaction
... If you break up a river into a multitude of channels, and lead off much of it to
irrigate many little gardens, there will be no force in its current, its bed ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/thirst and satisfaction.htm

The Alabaster Box
... ones into the background, and that the river has got so many ponds to fill, and
so many canals to trickle through, and so many plantations to irrigate and make ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the alabaster box.htm

The River of Life
... These are threefold: fertility, healing, life. Fertility. In the East one condition
of fertility is water. Irrigate the desert, and you make it a garden. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the river of life.htm

Irrigate (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Irrigate (1 Occurrence). Ecclesiastes 2:6 I made pools
to give water for the woods with their young trees. (See NAS). ...
/i/irrigate.htm - 6k

Garden (68 Occurrences)
... The writer has seen a group of young Arab boys modeling a garden out of mud and
conducting water to irrigate it by channels from a nearby canal, in a manner ...
/g/garden.htm - 38k

Water (4571 Occurrences)
... diluted. 8. (vt) To wet or supply with water; to moisten; to overflow with
water; to irrigate; as, to water land; to water flowers. 9 ...
/w/water.htm - 23k

Irrevocable (1 Occurrence)

/i/irrevocable.htm - 6k

Irrigated (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Irrigate. Multi-Version Concordance
Irrigated (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 11:10 For the ...
/i/irrigated.htm - 6k

Talmud
... (11) Mo`edh qatan, "Minor Feast," or Mashqin, "They irrigate" (first word of the
treatise), the days between the first day and the last day of the feast of ...
/t/talmud.htm - 37k

Valley (187 Occurrences)
... Another natural consequence of these physical peculiarities is that agriculture
cannot be carried on except as water to irrigate the level surfaces of the Ghor ...
/v/valley.htm - 75k

Jordan (188 Occurrences)
... Another natural consequence of these physical peculiarities is that agriculture
cannot be carried on except as water to irrigate the level surfaces of the Ghor ...
/j/jordan.htm - 70k

Jerusalem (782 Occurrences)
... The only perennial outflow of water is the scanty and intermittent stream which
overflows from the Pool of Siloam, and is used to irrigate the gardens in the ...
/j/jerusalem.htm - 89k

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