Definition and Significance:
A wellspring is a source or fountainhead of water, often symbolizing life, sustenance, and spiritual nourishment in biblical literature. In the Bible, wellsprings are frequently used metaphorically to represent the origin of life, wisdom, and the blessings that flow from God. The imagery of a wellspring is deeply rooted in the agrarian culture of the biblical world, where water was a precious and life-sustaining resource.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 4:23 · "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life."
· This verse highlights the heart as the wellspring of life, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity and righteousness within one's inner being. The heart, as the source of thoughts, emotions, and actions, must be protected to ensure that what flows from it is life-giving and aligned with God's will.

2. Proverbs 18:4 · "The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook."
· Here, the wellspring is associated with wisdom, suggesting that wise words and counsel are like a refreshing and inexhaustible source of life. The imagery of a bubbling brook conveys the idea of continuous and abundant provision of insight and understanding.

3. John 4:14 · "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."
· Jesus speaks of the spiritual wellspring that He provides, which leads to eternal life. This passage underscores the transformative power of Christ's gift, which satisfies spiritual thirst and becomes an internal source of perpetual life and renewal.

4. Isaiah 58:11 · "The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
· This promise from God assures His people of His continual guidance and provision. The imagery of a well-watered garden and an unfailing spring symbolizes the abundance and sustenance that come from a life rooted in God's presence and care.

Theological Implications:
In biblical theology, the concept of a wellspring is closely tied to the idea of divine provision and the sustaining power of God's word and Spirit. Just as physical water is essential for life, the spiritual nourishment that flows from God is vital for the believer's growth and vitality. The wellspring metaphor also points to the inner transformation that occurs when one is in a right relationship with God, resulting in a life that overflows with His love, wisdom, and grace.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to cultivate their hearts as wellsprings of life by immersing themselves in Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other Christians. By doing so, they ensure that their lives are sources of blessing and encouragement to others, reflecting the life-giving nature of God's Spirit within them. The call to guard one's heart and to seek wisdom underscores the responsibility of each believer to maintain a pure and vibrant spiritual life, drawing continually from the wellspring of God's presence.(n.) A fountain; a spring; a source of continual supply.WELLSPRING

wel'-spring (maqor): Usually "spring" or "fountain" (figuratively), translated "wellspring" only in two passages: "Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it" (Proverbs 16:22); "The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook" (Proverbs 18:4). See Burroughs, Pepacton, p. 35; WELL.

4726. maqor -- a spring, fountain
... Word Origin from qur Definition a spring, fountain NASB Word Usage flow (3),
fountain (14), well (1). fountain, issue, spring, wellspring. ...
/hebrew/4726.htm - 6k

Seventh Tractate. On the Primal Good and Secondary Forms of Good ...
... can look outside itself or aspire to anything other than itself: it can but remain
unmoved, as being, in the constitution of things, the wellspring and first ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/seventh tractate on the primal.htm

A Bundle of Proverbs
... THE PROVERBS A BUNDLE OF PROVERBS. 'Understanding is a wellspring of life unto
him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.23. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a bundle of proverbs.htm

O Love that Casts Out Fear
... Our feet no straying know. Great love of God, come in! Wellspring of heavenly
peace; Thou Living Water, come! Spring up, and never cease. ...
/.../sundays after trinity the divine 10.htm

The Touch of Faith
... He would speak to the humble woman words of comfort that would be to her a wellspring
of joy,"words that would be a blessing to His followers to the close of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 36 the touch of.htm

Book Four this is the Story of his Years among the Manicheans. ...
... But who is this Creator but thou, our God, the sweetness and wellspring of
righteousness, who renderest to every man according to his works and despisest not ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book four this is the.htm

The Power of Christianity.
... exhortations of moralists. This has, indeed, been the wellspring of whatever
is best and purest in Christian life. Amid all the ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 44 the power of.htm

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
... xviii.4). He therefore who letteth out water is the wellspring of strifes,
because he who curbs not his tongue dissipates concord. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xiv how the silent.htm

The Great High-Priest.
... Neither did His Divine greatness lessen His sympathy. Holy men have a wellspring
of pity in their hearts, to which ordinary men are total strangers. ...
/.../chapter iv the great high-priest.htm

Ninth Tractate. On the Good, or the One.
... 9. In this choiring, the soul looks upon the wellspring of Life, wellspring also
of Intellect, beginning of Being, fount of Good, root of Soul. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/plotinus/the six enneads/ninth tractate on the good.htm

Rejoicing in the Lord
... peaceful serenity. His heart was a wellspring of life, and wherever He went
He carried rest and peace, joy and gladness. Our Saviour ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 13 rejoicing in the.htm

Wellspring (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A fountain; a spring; a source of continual
supply. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WELLSPRING. wel ...
/w/wellspring.htm - 7k

Well (2882 Occurrences)
... caving in. 3. (n.) A shaft made in the earth to obtain oil or brine. 4.
(vi) Fig.: A source of supply; fountain; wellspring. 5. (n ...
/w/well.htm - 39k

Well-set (1 Occurrence)
Well-set. Well-satisfied, Well-set. Wellspring . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(DBY NAS RSV). Well-satisfied, Well-set. Wellspring . Reference Bible.
/w/well-set.htm - 7k

Well-spring (3 Occurrences)
Well-spring. Wellspring, Well-spring. Well-to-do . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Wellspring, Well-spring. Well-to-do . Reference Bible.
/w/well-spring.htm - 7k

Diligence (31 Occurrences)
... imprisonment. (WEB JPS ASV). Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence,
for out of it is the wellspring of life. (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS). ...
/d/diligence.htm - 18k

Instruction (117 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath
it: but the instruction of fools is folly. (KJV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/i/instruction.htm - 35k

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