Topical Bible: Water: Artificial Mode of Conveying, Into Large Cities

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In ancient times, the conveyance of water into large cities was a significant engineering feat, reflecting both the ingenuity and the necessity of sustaining urban populations. The Bible, while primarily a spiritual and historical document, provides glimpses into the infrastructure and daily life of ancient civilizations, including the methods of water conveyance.

Historical Context

The ancient Near East, including the regions of Israel and surrounding nations, was characterized by a climate that necessitated careful management of water resources. Cities often relied on nearby rivers, springs, and rainfall, but as urban centers grew, the need for reliable water supply systems became paramount. This led to the development of artificial modes of conveying water, such as aqueducts, cisterns, and channels.

Aqueducts and Channels

Aqueducts were among the most advanced methods of water conveyance in ancient times. These structures, often elevated, transported water from distant sources into cities. While the Bible does not explicitly mention aqueducts, the existence of such systems in regions like Rome and later in Herodian Jerusalem suggests that similar technologies may have been known or utilized in biblical times.

In 2 Kings 20:20 , we read about King Hezekiah's efforts to secure water for Jerusalem: "As for the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, along with all his might and how he made the pool and the tunnel to bring water into the city, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?" This passage refers to Hezekiah's tunnel, an impressive engineering project that redirected water from the Gihon Spring into the city, ensuring a steady supply during sieges.

Cisterns and Storage

Cisterns were another crucial component of water management in ancient cities. These large, man-made reservoirs collected rainwater and stored it for future use. The Bible frequently mentions cisterns, highlighting their importance in daily life and survival. In Jeremiah 2:13 , God uses the imagery of cisterns to convey a spiritual message: "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water."

Cisterns were often hewn out of rock and lined with plaster to prevent leakage. They were strategically placed to maximize water collection and were essential during dry seasons or times of drought.

Spiritual Significance

Water, both in its natural and conveyed forms, holds deep spiritual significance in the Bible. It is often used as a metaphor for life, purity, and divine provision. In John 4:14 , Jesus speaks of the "living water" He offers: "But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life."

The physical act of conveying water into cities can be seen as a reflection of God's provision and care for His people. Just as ancient engineers worked tirelessly to ensure a steady supply of water, so too does God provide for the spiritual and physical needs of His followers.

Conclusion

The artificial conveyance of water into large cities in biblical times underscores the importance of resource management and the ingenuity of ancient civilizations. Through aqueducts, cisterns, and other methods, these societies ensured the survival and prosperity of their urban centers. The Bible, while not a technical manual, offers valuable insights into these practices and their spiritual parallels.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 20:20
And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Conquest of Babylon.
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The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... Where artificial irrigation has been introduced, the fertility of ... grow readily in
places where water is present ... It was divided into two unequal segments by the ...
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From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ...
... eccentricities in his public administrations, conveying instruction more ... superfluous
ornament, or the artificial graces of ... change of climate and mode of living ...
/.../chapter 12 from the close.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... that as by the laver of the saving water the fire ... impersonal power (Greek, dynamis)
sent from God into the man ... and Son, only a difference in the mode in which ...
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