In biblical times, ponds were not only natural bodies of water but also man-made reservoirs used for various purposes, including irrigation, drinking water, and as habitats for fish. While the Bible does not frequently mention ponds explicitly, the concept of small bodies of water is present in the broader context of water management and agriculture in ancient Israel.

Biblical References and Context

1. Water Management in Ancient Israel: The arid climate of the Near East necessitated the development of sophisticated water management systems. Ponds, along with cisterns and wells, were integral to sustaining life and agriculture. Isaiah 41:18 speaks of God's provision, "I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys; I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into springs."

2. Symbolism and Imagery: Water bodies, including ponds, often symbolize life, sustenance, and divine blessing in the Bible. In Isaiah 35:7 , the transformation of the desert is described: "The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, there will be grass, reeds, and papyrus."

3. Fish Ponds: While not directly mentioned in the Bible, fish ponds were known in ancient times and are implied in the broader context of water use. Ecclesiastes 2:6 reflects on the accomplishments of the Preacher, "I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees." These reservoirs could have included fish ponds, which were a part of the agricultural practices.

4. Metaphorical Use: Ponds and pools are sometimes used metaphorically to describe abundance and prosperity. In the Song of Solomon 7:4 , the beauty of the beloved is likened to a pool: "Your neck is like a tower of ivory; your eyes are the pools of Heshbon by the gate of Bath Rabbim."

Cultural and Historical Insights

In the ancient Near East, the construction of ponds and reservoirs was a significant engineering feat. These water bodies were essential for collecting rainwater and runoff, especially in regions with limited natural water sources. The ability to store and manage water effectively was crucial for agriculture, which was the backbone of the economy and sustenance in biblical times.

Theological Implications

The presence and provision of water, including ponds, are often seen as a sign of God's blessing and care for His people. The transformation of barren land into fertile ground with pools of water is a recurring theme that underscores God's power to bring life and renewal. This imagery is not only literal but also spiritual, pointing to the refreshment and sustenance that God provides to His people.

In summary, while ponds are not frequently mentioned in the Bible, their role in the ancient world as sources of life and symbols of divine blessing is significant. They reflect the broader biblical themes of provision, transformation, and the sustaining power of God.1295. berekah -- a pool, pond
... Definition: pool. Word Origin from barak Definition a pool, pond NASB Word
Usage ponds (1), pool (15), pools (1). fishpool. From barak ...
/hebrew/1295.htm - 6k

98. agam -- a marsh, muddy pool
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a marsh, muddy pool NASB Word Usage
marshes (1), ponds (1), pool (4), pools (2), swamps (1). ...
/hebrew/98.htm - 6k

Hugh the Builder
... No mention is made of the fish ponds, but they are likely enough to have been prepared
in his time, for the rule, which never allowed meat, did allow fish on ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter viii hugh the builder.htm

King David's Little Boy.
... He did not linger among the shady walks of the king's garden or by the ponds where
the red lilies grew and the swans shook out their white plumes in the sun. ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/king davids little boy.htm

Use Made of Water by the Heathen Type of the Angel at the Pool of ...
... Witness all shady founts, and all unfrequented brooks, and the ponds in the baths,
and the conduits [8573] in private houses, or the cisterns and wells which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on baptism/chapter v use made of water.htm

The Civil Trial
... was supported by massive pillars, forming broad, shady colonnades; and round the
building there extended a park, with walks, trees and ponds, where fountains ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter iv the civil trial.htm

The Welter, 1415-1434.
... They declared that priests were an unnecessary nuisance. They celebrated the Holy
Communion in barns, and baptized their babies in ponds and brooks. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter iii the welter 1415-1434.htm

Christ's Estimate of his People
... did not even know there were such places at all, so that if Solomon had wished to
praise her he would not have compared her eyes to the fish-ponds of Heshbon ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christs estimate of his people.htm

Living up in the Spirit Realm.
... Maybe up around Nazareth, in the brooks and ponds up there, you can catch something
in daylight, but not down here.". I have heard many people talking that way. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/living up in the spirit.htm

The Answer to Trust
... Life is but a dreary stretch of wilderness, unless all through it there be dotted,
like a chain of ponds in a desert, these moments in which the mind fixes ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the answer to trust.htm

The Savanna of Aripo
... and Cyperoids of small sizes and fine kinds, with a species of Cassytha; in the
water, Ceratophyllum (the well-known hornwort of the English ponds) and bog ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xii the savanna of.htm

Whether to Live Belongs to all Natural Things?
... living that have a continuous current: for standing waters, that are not connected
with a continually flowing source, are called dead, as in cisterns and ponds ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether to live belongs to.htm

Ponds (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ponds (6 Occurrences). ... Ecclesiastes 2:6 I made me ponds
of water, to water therewith the wood, where the trees are reared. (DBY NAS). ...
/p/ponds.htm - 8k

Reservoir (1 Occurrence)
... In Isaiah 19:10 the rendering of the King James Version, "all that make sluices
and ponds for fish," would be an exception to this statement, but the Revised ...
/r/reservoir.htm - 12k

Pond (2 Occurrences)
... In Isaiah 19:10 the rendering of the King James Version, "all that make sluices
and ponds for fish," would be an exception to this statement, but the Revised ...
/p/pond.htm - 12k

Staff (91 Occurrences)
... Say unto Aaron, Take thy staff, and stretch out thy hand upon the waters of the
Egyptians upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon ...
/s/staff.htm - 38k

Pool (25 Occurrences)
... 84:6, ma`yan by, "place of springs." "Pool," 'agham (Isaiah 14:23, etc.; in the
King James Version, Exodus 7:19; Exodus 8:5, rendered "ponds"); more frequently ...
/p/pool.htm - 40k

Jars (28 Occurrences)
... your rod, and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers,
over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water ...
/j/jars.htm - 14k

Wooden (18 Occurrences)
... Take thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers,
over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water ...
/w/wooden.htm - 12k

Isles (32 Occurrences)
... (WBS YLT). Isaiah 42:15 I make waste mountains and hills, And all their herbs I
dry up, And I have made rivers become isles, And ponds I dry up. (YLT). ...
/i/isles.htm - 17k

Fishpools (1 Occurrence)
... In Isaiah 19:10, again, instead of "all that make sluices and ponds for fish" (the
King James Version), we should certainly read, with the Revised Version ...
/f/fishpools.htm - 7k

Feed (117 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To fill the wants of; to supply with that which is used or wasted; as, springs
feed ponds; the hopper feeds the mill; to feed a furnace with coal. ...
/f/feed.htm - 39k

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