A water-hole, often referred to as a well or spring in biblical texts, is a natural or man-made source of water that serves as a vital resource for sustenance, agriculture, and community life in the arid and semi-arid regions of the ancient Near East. Water-holes are frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing life, provision, and divine blessing.

Biblical Significance

Water-holes are central to many biblical narratives, reflecting their importance in the daily life and survival of the people. They are often sites of divine encounters, social interaction, and significant events in the lives of biblical figures.

1. Provision and Sustenance: Water-holes are essential for survival in the desert landscapes of the biblical world. In Genesis 21:19, God opens Hagar's eyes to see a well of water, providing for her and her son Ishmael in the wilderness: "Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink."

2. Divine Encounters: Wells and springs are frequently the settings for divine encounters and revelations. In Genesis 16:7-14, the Angel of the Lord appears to Hagar by a spring in the desert, offering her guidance and promises for her descendants.

3. Social and Marital Connections: Water-holes are often places where significant social interactions occur, including the meeting of future spouses. In Genesis 24:11-27, Abraham's servant meets Rebekah at a well, leading to her becoming Isaac's wife. Similarly, Jacob meets Rachel at a well in Genesis 29:1-12.

4. Conflict and Resolution: Water-holes can also be sources of conflict, as seen in Genesis 26:17-22, where Isaac's servants dig wells and face disputes with the Philistines. These conflicts highlight the scarcity and value of water resources in the region.

5. Symbol of Spiritual Truths: Water-holes are used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths. In John 4:13-14, Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, offering her "living water" that leads to eternal life: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 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."

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, water-holes were crucial for the survival of both humans and livestock. They were often strategically located along trade routes and in areas where natural water sources were scarce. The construction and maintenance of wells were significant communal activities, and access to water was a matter of life and death, often leading to alliances or conflicts between tribes and families.

Theological Implications

Water-holes in the Bible are not only physical sources of life but also carry deep theological implications. They represent God's provision and care for His people, as well as the spiritual nourishment found in a relationship with Him. The imagery of water as a life-giving and cleansing force is prevalent throughout Scripture, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of spiritual thirst in Jesus Christ, the Living Water.Water-hole (25 Occurrences)

Luke 14:5
And he said to them, Which of you, whose ox or ass has got into a water-hole, will not straight away get him out on the Sabbath?
(BBE)

Genesis 21:25
But Abraham made a protest to Abimelech because of a water-hole which Abimelech's servants had taken by force.
(BBE)

Genesis 21:30
And he said, Take these seven lambs from me as a witness that I have made this water-hole.
(BBE)

Genesis 26:21
Then they made another water-hole, and there was a fight about that, so he gave it the name of Sitnah.
(BBE)

Genesis 26:22
Then he went away from there, and made another water-hole, about which there was no fighting: so he gave it the name of Rehoboth, for he said, Now the Lord has made room for us, and we will have fruit in this land.
(BBE)

Genesis 26:25
Then he made an altar there, and gave worship to the name of the Lord, and he put up his tents there, and there his servants made a water-hole.
(BBE)

Genesis 26:32
And that day Isaac's servants came to him and gave him word of the water-hole which they had made, and said to him, We have come to water.
(BBE)

Genesis 29:2
And there he saw a water-hole in a field, and by the side of it three flocks of sheep, for there they got water for the sheep: and on the mouth of the water-hole there was a great stone.
(BBE)

Genesis 29:3
And all the flocks would come together there, and when the stone had been rolled away, they would give the sheep water, and put the stone back again in its place on the mouth of the water-hole.
(BBE)

Genesis 29:8
And they said, We are not able to do so till all the flocks have come together and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the water-hole; then we will get water for the sheep.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 17:18
But a boy saw them, and gave word of it to Absalom: so the two of them went away quickly, and came to the house of a man in Bahurim who had a water-hole in his garden, and they went down into it.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 17:21
Then after the servants had gone away, they came up out of the water-hole and went to give King David the news; and they said, Get up and go quickly over the water, for such and such are Ahithophel's designs against you.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 23:15
And David, moved by a strong desire, said, If only someone would give me a drink of water from the water-hole of Beth-lehem, by the doorway into the town!
(BBE)

2 Samuel 23:16
And the three men, forcing their way through the Philistine army, got water from the water-hole of Beth-lehem, by the doorway into the town, and took it back to David: but he would not take it, but, draining it out, made an offering of it to the Lord.
(BBE)

2 Kings 10:14
And he said, Take them living. So they took them living, and put them to death in the water-hole of Beth-eked; of the forty-two men he put every one to death;
(BBE)

1 Chronicles 11:17
And David, moved by a strong desire, said, If only someone would give me a drink of the water from the water-hole of Beth-lehem by the doorway into the town!
(BBE)

1 Chronicles 11:18
So the three, forcing a way through the Philistine army, got water from the water-hole of Beth-lehem, by the doorway into the town, and took it back to David; but David would not take it, but made an offering of it, draining it out to the Lord,
(BBE)

Proverbs 23:27
For a loose woman is a deep hollow, and a strange woman is a narrow water-hole.
(BBE)

Ecclesiastes 12:6
Before ever the silver cord is cut, or the vessel of gold is broken, or the pot is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the water-hole;
(BBE)

Jeremiah 38:6
So they took Jeremiah and put him into the water-hole of Malchiah, the king's son, in the place of the armed watchmen: and they let Jeremiah down with cords. And in the hole there was no water, but wet earth: and Jeremiah went down into the wet earth.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 38:7
Now it came to the ears of Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an unsexed servant in the king's house, that they had put Jeremiah into the water-hole; the king at that time being seated in the doorway of Benjamin:
(BBE)

Jeremiah 38:9
My lord the king, these men have done evil in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have put into the water-hole; and he will come to his death in the place where he is through need of food: for there is no more bread in the town.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 38:10
Then the king gave orders to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take with you three men from here and get Jeremiah out of the water-hole before death overtakes him.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 38:11
So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went into the house of the king, to the place where the clothing was kept, and got from there old clothing and bits of old cloth, and let them down by cords into the water-hole where Jeremiah was.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 38:13
So pulling Jeremiah up with the cords they got him out of the water-hole: and Jeremiah was kept in the place of the armed watchmen.
(BBE)

Water-hole (25 Occurrences)
Water-hole. Water-hen, Water-hole. Water-holes . Multi-Version
Concordance Water-hole (25 Occurrences). Luke 14:5 And ...
/w/water-hole.htm - 14k

Forcing (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 23:16 And the three men, forcing their way through the Philistine army,
got water from the water-hole of Beth-lehem, by the doorway into the town, and ...
/f/forcing.htm - 15k

Draining (20 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 23:16 And the three men, forcing their way through the Philistine army,
got water from the water-hole of Beth-lehem, by the doorway into the town, and ...
/d/draining.htm - 13k

Watchmen (40 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 38:6 So they took Jeremiah and put him into the water-hole of Malchiah,
the king's son, in the place of the armed watchmen: and they let Jeremiah down ...
/w/watchmen.htm - 19k

Water-holes (8 Occurrences)
Water-holes. Water-hole, Water-holes. Watering . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Water-hole, Water-holes. Watering . Reference Bible.
/w/water-holes.htm - 8k

Overtakes (16 Occurrences)
... 38:10 Then the king gave orders to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take with
you three men from here and get Jeremiah out of the water-hole before death ...
/o/overtakes.htm - 11k

Water-hen (2 Occurrences)
Water-hen. Water-gate, Water-hen. Water-hole . Multi-Version Concordance
Water-hen (2 Occurrences). ... Water-gate, Water-hen. Water-hole . Reference Bible
/w/water-hen.htm - 6k

Tents (284 Occurrences)
... Genesis 26:25 Then he made an altar there, and gave worship to the name of the Lord,
and he put up his tents there, and there his servants made a water-hole. ...
/t/tents.htm - 35k

Rolled (38 Occurrences)
... 8 And they said, We are not able to do so till all the flocks have come together
and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the water-hole; then we ...
/r/rolled.htm - 18k

Eked (2 Occurrences)
... So they took them living, and put them to death in the water-hole of Beth-eked;
of the forty-two men he put every one to death; (BBE NAS RSV NIV). ...
/e/eked.htm - 7k

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