A water-skin, often referred to in biblical times, is a container made from animal hide, typically used for storing and transporting liquids, primarily water. This ancient vessel was essential for daily life in the arid regions of the Near East, where access to water was a constant concern. The water-skin is mentioned in several biblical narratives, highlighting its importance in the daily and spiritual lives of the people.

Biblical References:

One of the earliest mentions of a water-skin is found in the account of Hagar and Ishmael. In Genesis 21:14, Abraham gives Hagar a water-skin as she departs into the wilderness: "Early in the morning, Abraham got up, took bread and a skin of water, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her away with the boy. She left and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba." This passage underscores the water-skin's role as a lifeline in the harsh desert environment.

In Joshua 9:4, the Gibeonites use old, worn-out water-skins as part of their ruse to deceive the Israelites: "they acted with cunning and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended." Here, the water-skin is part of a larger narrative about deception and covenant-making, illustrating its commonplace presence in daily life.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Water-skins were typically made from the hides of goats or sheep. The process involved cleaning and tanning the hide, then sewing it into a bag-like shape, with the openings sealed to prevent leakage. The natural elasticity and durability of the animal skin made it an ideal material for carrying water over long distances. The use of water-skins was not limited to the Israelites; they were a common utility across various ancient cultures in the region.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance:

In the Bible, water often symbolizes life, purification, and divine provision. The water-skin, as a vessel for this life-giving substance, can be seen as a symbol of God's provision and sustenance. The account of Hagar and Ishmael, for instance, not only highlights the physical necessity of water but also God's intervention and care, as He later provides a well for them in the wilderness (Genesis 21:19).

The water-skin also serves as a metaphor for spiritual readiness and renewal. In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of wineskins to teach about the new covenant: "And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins" (Mark 2:22). While this passage specifically mentions wineskins, the principle applies to water-skins as well, emphasizing the need for new vessels to contain new life and teachings.

Practical Applications:

For the people of biblical times, the water-skin was a practical tool for survival. It allowed them to traverse deserts and wilderness areas, ensuring they had access to water when natural sources were scarce. This practical aspect of the water-skin is a reminder of the resourcefulness and resilience required to live in harmony with the environment.

In summary, the water-skin in biblical literature is more than just a physical object; it is a symbol of sustenance, divine provision, and spiritual readiness. Its presence in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the essential nature of water and the ever-present need for God's provision in the journey of life.2573. chemeth -- a water skin
... 2572, 2573. chemeth. 2574 . a water skin. Transliteration: chemeth Phonetic
Spelling: (klay'-meth) Short Definition: skin. Word ...
/hebrew/2573.htm - 6k

178. ob -- a bottle (made from animal skin), a necromancer
... From the same as 'ab (apparently through the idea of prattling a father's name);
properly, a mumble, ie A water skin (from its hollow sound); hence a ...
/hebrew/178.htm - 6k

Fear and Faith
... 'Put thou my tears into Thy bottle'"one of the few indispensable articles which
he had to carry with him, the water-skin which hung beside him, perhaps, as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/fear and faith.htm

The Return of the Holy Family from Egypt
... The Blessed Virgin washed and dried some things, and after refreshing themselves
with water and filling their water-skin, they started on their journey along ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvii the return of the.htm

The Collar of Gold
... on. In a few steps he met the children water-bearers flying to the scene
of the accident. Not one of them bore a water-skin. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ix the collar of.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... The water-skin and the jugs of balsam were empty; the Blessed Virgin was greatly
distressed, and both she and the Infant Jesus were thirsty. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

The Exile Continued.
... And as the water-skin was a necessary part of a traveller's equipment, the mention
of his wanderings suggests the bold and tender metaphor of the next clause ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm

Chapter xxi
... And Abraham arose early in the morning and took bread and a water-skin, and gave
them to Hagar, put them on her shoulder, and (gave her) the lad, and sent her ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

Christ Precious to Believers
... But put a man in the desert and let the water-skin be dried up, let him come to
the well wherein he expected to find water, and it has failed him; can you not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christ precious to believers.htm

Water-skin (1 Occurrence)
Water-skin. Waterside, Water-skin. Waterskins . Multi-Version
Concordance Water-skin (1 Occurrence). Genesis 21:14 And ...
/w/water-skin.htm - 6k

Bucket (1 Occurrence)
... a waterskin with two cross-pieces at the top to fit it for use in drawing water,
like those now in use in Palestine. The ordinary word for water-skin is a ...
/b/bucket.htm - 8k

Waterskins (1 Occurrence)

/w/waterskins.htm - 6k

Waterside (1 Occurrence)

/w/waterside.htm - 6k

Wandering (120 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:14 And early in the morning Abraham got up, and gave Hagar some bread
and a water-skin, and put the boy on her back, and sent her away: and she went ...
/w/wandering.htm - 37k

Boy (94 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:14 And early in the morning Abraham got up, and gave Hagar some bread
and a water-skin, and put the boy on her back, and sent her away: and she went ...
/b/boy.htm - 35k

Skin (115 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:14 And early in the morning Abraham got up, and gave Hagar some bread
and a water-skin, and put the boy on her back, and sent her away: and she went ...
/s/skin.htm - 44k

Hebron (71 Occurrences)
... The city is divided into seven quarters, one of which is known as that of the "glass
blowers" and another as that of the "water-skin makers." These industries ...
/h/hebron.htm - 41k

Waste (668 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:14 And early in the morning Abraham got up, and gave Hagar some bread
and a water-skin, and put the boy on her back, and sent her away: and she went ...
/w/waste.htm - 37k

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