Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terminology, a "brook" refers to a small, natural stream of water, often seasonal, that flows through a valley or low-lying area. Brooks are significant in the biblical narrative, serving as geographical markers, sites of divine encounters, and symbols of God's provision and judgment.Hebrew and Greek Terms The Hebrew word most commonly translated as "brook" is "נַחַל" (nachal), which can also mean "valley" or "torrent." In the Greek New Testament, the term "χείμαρρος" (cheimarros) is used, meaning "winter-flowing stream," indicating a seasonal watercourse. Biblical Significance 1. Geographical Markers: Brooks often delineate boundaries and territories. For example, the Brook Kidron served as a boundary marker for Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:23). The Brook of Egypt (Wadi el-Arish) marked the southern border of the Promised Land (Numbers 34:5). 2. Sites of Divine Encounters: Brooks are frequently the settings for significant biblical events. Elijah was sustained by ravens at the Brook Cherith during a time of drought (1 Kings 17:3-6). This brook became a place of divine provision, illustrating God's care for His prophet. 3. Symbols of Judgment and Cleansing: The Brook Kidron is associated with acts of purification and judgment. King Asa destroyed idols and burned them by the Brook Kidron (1 Kings 15:13). Similarly, King Josiah defiled the high places and cast their ashes into the Brook Kidron (2 Kings 23:4, 6, 12). 4. Metaphorical Usage: Brooks are used metaphorically to describe the transient nature of life and the need for spiritual sustenance. Job laments the unreliability of his friends, comparing them to brooks that vanish in the heat (Job 6:15-17). In contrast, the psalmist speaks of a "brook" as a source of refreshment and blessing, as in Psalm 42:1, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God." 5. New Testament References: In the New Testament, brooks are less frequently mentioned, but they continue to symbolize spiritual truths. Jesus crossed the Brook Kidron on His way to the Garden of Gethsemane, a journey that prefigured His sacrificial death (John 18:1). Theological Implications Brooks in the Bible often represent God's provision and the sustenance He provides to His people. They are reminders of His faithfulness in times of need and His power to cleanse and purify. The imagery of a brook underscores the necessity of relying on God's provision and the transient nature of earthly life, pointing believers to seek eternal sustenance in Him. ATS Bible Dictionary BrookSee RIVER. Easton's Bible Dictionary A torrent. (1.) Applied to small streams, as the Arnon, Jabbok, etc. Isaiah (15:7) speaks of the "book of the willows," probably the Wady-el-Asha. (2.) It is also applied to winter torrents (Job 6:15; Numbers 34:5; Joshua 15:4, 47), and to the torrent-bed or wady as well as to the torrent itself (Numbers 13:23; 1 Kings 17:3). (3.) In Isaiah 19:7 the river Nile is meant, as rendered in the Revised Version. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A natural stream of water smaller than a river or creek.2. (v. t.) To use; to enjoy. 3. (v. t.) To bear; to endure; to put up with; to tolerate; as, young men can not brook restraint. 4. (v. t.) To deserve; to earn. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BESOR, THE BROOKbe'-sor, (nachal besor; Codex Alexandrinus, Bechor, Codex Vaticanus, Beana; 1 Samuel 30:9, 20, 21; Josephus, Ant, VI, xiv, 6): A torrent-bed (nachal) mentioned in the account of David's pursuit of the Amalekites. Thought to be Wady Ghazza, which enters the sea Southwest of Gaza. BROOK brook (nachal, 'aphiq, ye'or, mikhal; cheimarrhos): In Palestine there are few large streams. Of the smaller ones many flow only during the winter, or after a heavy rain. The commonest Hebrew word for brook is nachal, which is also used for river and for valley, and it is not always clear whether the valley or the stream in the valley is meant (Numbers 13:23 Deuteronomy 2:13 2 Samuel 15:23). The Arabic wady, which is sometimes referred to in this connection, is not an exact parallel, for while it may be used of a dry valley or of a valley containing a stream, it means the valley and not the stream. 'Aphiq and ye'or are translated both "brook" and "river," ye'or being generally used of the Nile (Exodus 1:22, etc.), though in Daniel 12:5-7, of the Tigris. Cheirnarrhos, "winter-flowing," is applied in John 18:1 to the Kidron. Many of the streams of Palestine which are commonly called rivers would in other countries be called brooks, but in such a dry country any perennial stream assumes a peculiar importance. BROOK OF EGYPT, THE (nachal = "a flowing stream," "a valley"; best translated by the oriental word wady, which means, as the Hebrew word does, both a stream and its valley). CHERITH, THE BROOK ke'-rith (nachal kerith; Cheimarrhous Chorrhath): The place where Elijah hid and was miraculously fed, after announcing the drought to Ahab (1 Kings 17:3). It is described as being "before," that is "east," of Jordan. It cannot therefore be identified with Wady el-Kelt, to the West of Jericho. The retreat must be sought in some recess of the Gilead uplands with which doubtless Elijah had been familiar in his earlier days. KIDRON, THE BROOK (nachal qidhron; in John 18:1 (the King James Version Cedron), ho cheimarrhous ton Kedron, according to the Revised Version margin, the last two words are to be considered as meaning "of the cedars." The Hebrew word has been very generally accepted as from qadhar, "to become black," but it is an attractive suggestion (Cheyne) that it may be a phonetic variation of gidderon, "a spot for enclosures for cattle," of which latter there must have been many around the now buried caves which lay at the base of the cliffs around the spring Gihon): MOCHMUR, THE BROOK mok'-mur, ho cheimarrhos Mochmour): The torrent bed in a valley on which stood Chusi, not far from Ekrebel (Judith 7:18). The latter may be identified with `Aqrabeh, East of Nablus. Wady Makhfuriyeh runs to the South of `Aqrabeh, and probably represents the ancient Mochmur. WILLOWS, THE BROOK OF THE Evidently mentioned as the boundary of Moab (Isaiah 15:7) and generally identified with the brook Zered. EGYPT, BROOK (RIVER, STREAM) OF See BROOK OF EGYPT. Greek 2748. Kedron -- Kidron, a brook and wadi near Jer. ... Kedron. 2749 . Kidron, a brook and wadi near Jer. ... Word Origin of Hebrew origin Qidron Definition Kidron, a brook and wadi near Jer. NASB Word Usage Kidron (1). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2748.htm - 6k 5493. cheimarros -- flowing in winter, a torrent 4215. potamos -- a river 1068. Gethsemani -- Gethsemane, an olive orchard on the Mt. of ... Strong's Hebrew 4323. mikal -- a brook, stream... 4322, 4323. mikal. 4324 . a brook, stream. Transliteration: mikal Phonetic Spelling: (me-kawl') Short Definition: brook. Word Origin ... /hebrew/4323.htm - 6k 3747. Kerith -- a brook where Elijah was hidden 5158. nachal -- torrent, torrent-valley, wadi 650. aphiq -- a channel 5158a. nachal -- torrent, torrent-valley, wadi 2975. yeor -- stream (of the Nile), stream, canal 2218. Zered -- a wadi East of the Dead Sea 6939. Qidron -- perhaps "dusky," a wadi East of Jer. 5158b. nachal -- nachal Library Creatures that are Able to Dart their Thoughts into all Spaces Can ... Elijah and the Widow's Son Women who Saved a Nation The Greatest Trial on Record Elijah Fed by Ravens. Elijah the Great Heart of Israel. A Prophet's Strange Providers The Question of the Tall Gentleman as to Whether Diamond could ... Call to China and Voyage Hence The Next Night Diamond was Seated by his Open Window... Thesaurus Brook (75 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To use; to enjoy. 3. (vt) To bear; to endure; to put up with; to tolerate; as, young men can not brook restraint. ... BESOR, THE BROOK. ... /b/brook.htm - 45k Kanah (3 Occurrences) Wadi (11 Occurrences) Ravine (26 Occurrences) Kidron (11 Occurrences) Willows (5 Occurrences) Zered (3 Occurrences) Besor (3 Occurrences) Cherith (2 Occurrences) Outgoings (21 Occurrences) Resources Who were the Canaanites? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Elijah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What happened on the Mount of Olives? | GotQuestions.org Brook: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Brook (75 Occurrences)John 18:1 Genesis 32:23 Leviticus 23:40 Numbers 13:23 Numbers 13:24 Numbers 34:5 Deuteronomy 2:13 Deuteronomy 2:14 Deuteronomy 2:24 Deuteronomy 2:36 Deuteronomy 2:37 Deuteronomy 3:8 Deuteronomy 3:12 Deuteronomy 4:48 Deuteronomy 9:21 Joshua 12:1 Joshua 12:2 Joshua 13:9 Joshua 13:16 Joshua 15:4 Joshua 15:7 Joshua 15:47 Joshua 16:8 Joshua 17:9 Joshua 19:11 Judges 4:7 Judges 4:13 Judges 5:21 1 Samuel 17:40 1 Samuel 30:9 1 Samuel 30:10 1 Samuel 30:21 2 Samuel 15:23 2 Samuel 17:13 2 Samuel 17:20 2 Samuel 24:5 1 Kings 2:37 1 Kings 8:65 1 Kings 15:13 1 Kings 17:3 1 Kings 17:4 1 Kings 17:5 1 Kings 17:6 1 Kings 17:7 1 Kings 18:40 2 Kings 10:33 2 Kings 23:6 2 Kings 23:12 2 Kings 24:7 1 Chronicles 13:5 2 Chronicles 7:8 2 Chronicles 15:16 2 Chronicles 20:16 2 Chronicles 29:16 2 Chronicles 30:14 2 Chronicles 32:4 Nehemiah 2:15 Job 6:15 Job 40:22 Psalms 74:15 Psalms 83:9 Psalms 110:7 Proverbs 18:4 Isaiah 15:7 Isaiah 19:7 Isaiah 19:8 Isaiah 23:3 Isaiah 23:10 Isaiah 27:12 Isaiah 57:6 Jeremiah 15:18 Jeremiah 31:40 Ezekiel 47:19 Ezekiel 48:28 Amos 6:14 Subtopics Related Terms |