Watering-places in biblical times were essential locations, often serving as vital hubs for both human and animal life. These sites, typically wells, springs, or oases, are frequently mentioned throughout the Scriptures, highlighting their importance in the daily life and survival of the people in the arid regions of the Near East.

Biblical Significance

Watering-places were not only practical necessities but also held significant social and spiritual roles. They were often the setting for divine encounters, social interactions, and pivotal events in biblical narratives.

1. Wells and Springs: Wells were crucial for sustaining life in the desert and semi-arid regions of the biblical world. They were often dug by hand and could be a source of conflict, as seen in the disputes over wells between Isaac and the Philistines (Genesis 26:18-22). Wells were also places of divine revelation, such as when the Angel of the LORD appeared to Hagar by a spring in the wilderness (Genesis 16:7).

2. Oases: These fertile areas in the desert provided much-needed rest and refreshment for travelers and their livestock. The Israelites' journey through the wilderness included stops at oases, such as Elim, where there were "twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees" (Exodus 15:27).

3. Social and Cultural Interactions: Watering-places were often gathering spots for communities. They were places where people met and interacted, as seen in the account of Rebekah, who was found by Abraham's servant at a well, drawing water (Genesis 24:11-20). Similarly, Jacob met Rachel at a well, which led to his eventual marriage to her (Genesis 29:1-12).

4. Symbolism and Metaphor: Watering-places also carry rich symbolic meaning in the Bible. Water is often used as a metaphor for spiritual sustenance and life. Jesus used the imagery of living water when speaking to the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, offering her "a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14).

Historical and Archaeological Context

Archaeological findings have uncovered numerous ancient wells and cisterns, providing insight into the engineering and community planning of biblical times. These structures were often lined with stone to prevent collapse and contamination, reflecting the ingenuity and resourcefulness of ancient peoples in managing their water resources.

Theological Implications

Watering-places in the Bible often serve as settings for divine intervention and revelation. They remind believers of God's provision and care, as well as the importance of spiritual nourishment. The encounters at these sites often lead to significant developments in God's redemptive plan, underscoring the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual realms.

In summary, watering-places in the Bible are more than just physical locations; they are integral to the narrative and theological fabric of Scripture, illustrating God's provision and the social dynamics of biblical communities.4857. mashab -- probably place of drawing (water)
... Word Origin from shaab Definition probably place of drawing (water) NASB
Word Usage watering places (1). place of drawing water. ...
/hebrew/4857.htm - 6k

5097. nahalol -- a pasture
... Word Origin from nahal Definition a pasture NASB Word Usage watering places (1).
bush. From nahal; pasture -- bush. see HEBREW nahal. 5096, 5097. ...
/hebrew/5097.htm - 6k

4945b. mashqeh -- irrigation, drink
... Word Origin from shaqah Definition irrigation, drink NASB Word Usage drink (1),
drinking (2), liquid (1), office (1), watering places (1), well watered (1). ...
/hebrew/4945b.htm - 5k

Books Printed for the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge;
... Pacific Ocean 1 9 """"" North Pacific Ocean 1 9 Walton's (Isaac) Lives, entire,
with portraits 4 0 Watering Places of England 0 9 Wellington ...
/.../murray/kalli the esquimaux christian /books printed for the society.htm

The Prairie Pasture
... milking hour. The watering places were known as "buffalo-wallows," for they
had been made by the buffalos in wallowing. These basins ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter i the prairie pasture.htm

His First Residence in Germany.
... thou mayst never lose thy reward. Pyrmont is one of the oldest
watering-places north of the Alps. The inhabitants are very much ...
/.../chapter iv his first residence.htm

Religion and Amusement.
... with as much propriety as any of the numerous ministers of the present day who
"roll" with so much zest and assiduity at our fashionable watering places. ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/religion and amusement.htm

Criticisms on "The Origin of Species. "
... contradiction in terms. Did M. Flourens ever visit one of the prettiest
watering-places of "la belle France," the Baie d'Arcachon? If so, he ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xiii criticisms on the origin.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... And 'in a few abnormal instances, particularly in watering-places, the rostra would
even overhang the altar, or occupy a sort of gallery behind it.'[902 ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

The First Theban Empire
... A few fishing villages, however, are mentioned as scattered along the littoral;
watering-places, at some distance apart, frequented on account of their wells ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Watering-places (2 Occurrences)
Watering-places. Watering, Watering-places. Watering-troughs .
Multi-Version Concordance Watering-places (2 Occurrences). ...
/w/watering-places.htm - 7k

Watering (21 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Isaiah 7:19 And they will come, covering all the waste valleys, and the holes
of the rocks, and the thorns, and all the watering-places. (BBE NAS). ...
/w/watering.htm - 12k

Ledges (7 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Isaiah 7:19 And they will come, covering all the waste valleys, and the
holes of the rocks, and the thorns, and all the watering-places. (See NAS). ...
/l/ledges.htm - 8k

Watering-troughs (2 Occurrences)
Watering-troughs. Watering-places, Watering-troughs. Water-jug . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (See JPS). Watering-places, Watering-troughs. Water-jug . ...
/w/watering-troughs.htm - 7k

Triumphs (5 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:11 To the sound of musicians at the wateringplaces, there they repeat
the triumphs of the LORD, the triumphs of his peasantry in Israel. ...
/t/triumphs.htm - 7k

Ravines (17 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Isaiah 7:19 And they will come, covering all the waste valleys, and the
holes of the rocks, and the thorns, and all the watering-places. ...
/r/ravines.htm - 11k

Repeat (10 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Judges 5:11 To the sound of musicians at the wateringplaces, there they
repeat the triumphs of the LORD, the triumphs of his peasantry in Israel. ...
/r/repeat.htm - 10k

Musicians (6 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:11 To the sound of musicians at the wateringplaces, there they repeat
the triumphs of the LORD, the triumphs of his peasantry in Israel. ...
/m/musicians.htm - 8k

Marched (51 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:11 To the sound of musicians at the wateringplaces, there they repeat
the triumphs of the LORD, the triumphs of his peasantry in Israel. ...
/m/marched.htm - 21k

Peasantry (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:11 To the sound of musicians at the wateringplaces, there they repeat
the triumphs of the LORD, the triumphs of his peasantry in Israel. ...
/p/peasantry.htm - 7k

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