Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, water often symbolizes life, purity, and sustenance. It is a vital element that sustains physical life and is frequently used metaphorically to describe spiritual truths. Within the domestic sphere, water can also be seen as a symbol of love, nurturing, and the sustaining power of relationships, particularly within the family unit.Biblical References and Symbolism 1. Proverbs 5:15-18: "Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well. Should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth." This passage uses the imagery of water to describe the exclusivity and joy of marital love. The metaphor of drinking from one's own cistern emphasizes fidelity and the deep, personal satisfaction found in a committed marital relationship. 2. Song of Solomon 4:12-15: "A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed. Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, with henna and nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices. You are a garden spring, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon." Here, the beloved is compared to a garden and a well of flowing water, symbolizing beauty, fertility, and the refreshing nature of love. The imagery of water highlights the life-giving and sustaining qualities of love within the marriage covenant. 3. Ephesians 5:25-26: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word." In this passage, the apostle Paul draws a parallel between the love of a husband for his wife and Christ's love for the church. The reference to washing with water signifies purification and care, underscoring the nurturing and sanctifying role of love within the domestic setting. The Role of Water in Domestic Life In ancient Israel, water was a precious resource, essential for daily living and agricultural success. Its availability often determined the prosperity and well-being of a household. In a similar way, love within the family is a foundational element that nurtures and sustains relationships. Just as water is necessary for physical survival, love is crucial for the emotional and spiritual health of the family. Practical Implications The biblical metaphor of water as a symbol of domestic love encourages believers to cultivate relationships that are life-giving and pure. It calls for faithfulness, nurturing, and a commitment to the well-being of one's family. By drawing from the well of love that God provides, families can experience the refreshing and sustaining power of His grace in their daily lives. In summary, water in the Bible serves as a profound symbol of domestic love, illustrating the essential qualities of fidelity, nurturing, and life-giving sustenance that characterize healthy family relationships. Through these scriptural insights, believers are encouraged to reflect God's love in their homes, creating an environment where love flows abundantly and refreshes all who partake in it. Nave's Topical Index Proverbs 5:15Drink waters out of your own cistern, and running waters out of your own well. Nave's Topical Index Library The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals. How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and ... Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ... The Church Apostrophised as Teacher of all Wisdom. Doctrine of the ... The Woman of Samaria. Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love. The King's Charge to his Ambassadors Sheep among Wolves The Home Scene. The Box of Ointment. Resources What is the symbolism of water baptism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about holy water? | GotQuestions.org What did Jesus mean when He spoke of living water? | GotQuestions.org Water: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Water in Times of Scarcity, Sold at an Enormous Price Water of Bitterness or of Jealousy Water of Separation or of Uncleanness Water of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit Water was Used by Jews for Culinary Purposes Water was Used by Jews for Legal Purification Water was Used by Jews for Washing the Person Water was Used by Jews: As Their Principal Beverage Water: (Covering the Sea) of the General Diffusion of The Water: (Deep) of Counsel in the Heart Water: (Deep) of Severe Affliction Water: (Deep) of the Words of the Wise Water: (Difficulty of Stopping) of Strife and Contention Water: (Its Instability) of a Wavering Disposition Water: (Its Weakness) of Faintness and Cowardice Water: (Many) of a Variety of Afflictions Water: (Many) of Different Nations and People Water: (Noise of Many) of the Word of Christ Water: (Poured Out) Faintness by Terror Water: (Poured Out) the Wrath of God Water: (Pouring, out of Buckets) a Numerous Progeny Water: (Rapidly Flowing Away) the Career of the Wicked Water: (Spilled on the Ground) Death Water: (Still) the Ordinances of the Gospel Water: Artificial Mode of Conveying, Into Large Cities Water: Collected in The Clouds Water: Covered the Whole Earth Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use Water: God Originally: Collected Into One Place Water: God Originally: Created Fowls and Fishes From Water: God Originally: Created the Firmament to Divide Water: Kept for Purification in Large Waterpots Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Jaw-Bone of an Ass Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Rock Water: Miracles Connected With: Consumed by Fire from Heaven Water: Miracles Connected With: Divided and Made to Stand on Heap Water: Miracles Connected With: Healing Powers Communicated To Water: Miracles Connected With: Iron Made to Swim In Water: Miracles Connected With: Our Lord Walking On Water: Miracles Connected With: Trenches Filled With Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Blood Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Wine Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Jehoshaphat's Army Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Samson Water: Miraculously Supplied: To the Israelites Water: Necessary to the Comfort and Happiness of Man Water: Necessary to Vegetation Water: One of the Elements of the World Water: Rises in Vapour to the Clouds Water: some Plants Particularly Require Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity Water: The World and Its Inhabitants Once Destroyed By Water: The World not to be Again Destroyed By Water: Wearing the Hardest Substances Related Terms Water-springs (12 Occurrences) |
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