Topical Bible: Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use

◄ Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use ►

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In the biblical context, water is a vital element, symbolizing life, purification, and divine provision. However, the scarcity and quality of water in the ancient Near East often rendered it brackish and unfit for consumption, serving as a backdrop for numerous biblical narratives and teachings.

Geographical and Historical Context

The land of Israel and its surrounding regions are characterized by a semi-arid climate, with limited rainfall and few perennial rivers. The Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee, and the Dead Sea are prominent water bodies, but their waters were not always suitable for drinking. The Dead Sea, in particular, is known for its high salinity, making it inhospitable to life and unfit for consumption. In ancient times, communities relied heavily on wells, cisterns, and seasonal streams, which could become brackish or dry up, leading to water scarcity.

Biblical References

The Bible frequently addresses the issue of water quality and scarcity. In Exodus 15:23-25 , the Israelites encounter the waters of Marah, which were too bitter to drink. "When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. So it was named Marah. And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?' So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log; when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened."

This narrative highlights God's provision and the transformative power of divine intervention, turning undrinkable water into a source of life. It also underscores the dependence of the Israelites on God's guidance and sustenance during their wilderness journey.

In 2 Kings 2:19-22 , the prophet Elisha purifies the waters of Jericho, which were causing harm to the land and its inhabitants. "Then the men of the city said to Elisha, 'Please note, our lord, that the city's location is good, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.' 'Bring me a new bowl,' he replied, 'and put some salt in it.' So they brought it to him, and Elisha went out to the spring, threw the salt into it, and said, 'This is what the LORD says: I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.' And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word spoken by Elisha."

This account illustrates the power of prophetic action and divine authority to restore and heal, transforming a source of death into one of life and productivity.

Symbolic and Theological Implications

Water's frequent unfitness for use in the Bible serves as a metaphor for spiritual barrenness and the need for divine intervention. In Jeremiah 2:13 , God laments Israel's spiritual state: "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."

This passage contrasts the life-giving, pure water that God offers with the inadequate and often brackish substitutes that humanity creates. It calls believers to seek the true source of spiritual nourishment and life in God alone.

Practical Considerations

The challenges of accessing clean water in biblical times reflect the broader human struggle for survival and the reliance on God's provision. The narratives of bitter and brackish waters remind believers of the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God's ability to provide and purify. They also serve as a call to recognize the spiritual thirst that only God can quench, urging a return to the "fountain of living water" that sustains and refreshes the soul.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 15:23
And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 2:19
And the men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, I pray you, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Reaction against Egypt
... Amon's) daughter, the very august...; she poured water on his ... their homes safe and
sound; but as frequently they would ... the Khati was able to make use of them ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm