Topical Encyclopedia In biblical contexts, the term "dam" primarily refers to a barrier constructed to hold back water, creating a reservoir or a body of water. While the Bible does not explicitly mention dams as we understand them today, the concept of controlling water is present in various passages, reflecting the importance of water management in ancient times.Water Management in Ancient Israel Water was a critical resource in the arid climate of ancient Israel and surrounding regions. The control and management of water were essential for agriculture, survival, and prosperity. Although the Bible does not provide detailed descriptions of dams, it does reference the construction of water systems, such as cisterns, wells, and aqueducts, which were vital for sustaining life and supporting agriculture. Biblical References to Water Control 1. Hezekiah's Tunnel: One of the most notable examples of ancient water management is Hezekiah's Tunnel, mentioned in 2 Kings 20:20 and 2 Chronicles 32:30. King Hezekiah of Judah constructed this tunnel to secure a water supply for Jerusalem during the Assyrian siege. The tunnel redirected water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam, demonstrating the strategic importance of water control. · 2 Kings 20:20 : "As for the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, along with all his might and how he made the pool and the tunnel to bring water into the city, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?" 2. Cisterns and Wells: The Bible frequently mentions cisterns and wells, which were essential for collecting and storing water. These structures, while not dams in the modern sense, served a similar purpose in managing water resources. · Jeremiah 2:13 : "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water." 3. Symbolic Use of Water: Water is often used symbolically in the Bible to represent life, purification, and divine blessing. The control of water, therefore, can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual sustenance and God's provision. Engineering and Construction The construction of water management systems in biblical times required significant engineering skills and labor. The ability to control water flow and store it for future use was a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of ancient peoples. While the Bible does not provide technical details about dam construction, archaeological evidence from the region shows that ancient civilizations, including the Israelites, were capable of building sophisticated water systems. Spiritual Implications From a spiritual perspective, the concept of a dam can be seen as a metaphor for the barriers that individuals might place between themselves and God. Just as a dam holds back water, spiritual barriers can prevent the flow of God's grace and blessings. The Bible encourages believers to remove such barriers and allow the living water of God's Spirit to flow freely in their lives. In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention dams, the principles of water management and control are evident throughout the Scriptures. These practices were crucial for the survival and prosperity of ancient societies and hold spiritual significance for believers today. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A female parent; -- used of beasts, especially of quadrupeds; sometimes applied in contempt to a human mother.2. (n.) A kind or crowned piece in the game of draughts. 3. (n.) A barrier to prevent the flow of a liquid; esp., a bank of earth, or wall of any kind, as of masonry or wood, built across a water course, to confine and keep back flowing water. 4. (n.) A firebrick wall, or a stone, which forms the front of the hearth of a blast furnace. 5. (v. t.) To obstruct or restrain the flow of, by a dam; to confine by constructing a dam, as a stream of water; -- generally used with in or up. 6. (v. t.) To shut up; to stop up; to close; to restrain. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DAM('em, ordinary Hebrew word for "mother"): Hebrew law prohibited the destruction of the "dam" and the young of birds at the same time, commanding that if the young be taken from a nest the dam be allowed to escape (Deuteronomy 22:6, 7). In the same spirit it enjoined the taking of an animal for slaughter before it had been seven days with its "dam" (Exodus 22:30 Leviticus 22:27; compare Exodus 23:19). Greek 184. Hakeldamach -- Hakeldama, a field appar. located south of the ... ... located south of the valley of Hinnom. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Hakeldamach Phonetic Spelling: (ak-el-dam-ah') Short Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/184.htm - 6k 1152. Damaris -- Damaris, an Athenian woman 1151. damalis -- a heifer 1678. Elmadam -- Elmadam, an Israelite 1154. Damaskos -- Damascus, a city of Syria 1150. damazo -- to tame 3365. medamos -- by no means 3760. oudamos -- by no means 1153. Damaskenos -- of Damascus Strong's Hebrew 1818. dam -- blood... 1817, 1818. dam. 1819 . blood. Transliteration: dam Phonetic Spelling: (dawm) Short Definition: blood. Word Origin a prim. ... 1817, 1818. dam. 1819 . ... /hebrew/1818.htm - 6k 6450. Pas Dammim -- "palm of blood," a place in Judah 517. em -- a mother 658. Ephec Dammiym -- the two extremities (ie the soles of the ... 6923. qadam -- to come or be in front, meet 7290. radam -- to be in or fall into heavy sleep 1834. Dammeseq -- a city in Aram (Syria) 119. adom -- to be red 5549. salal -- to lift up, cast up 658b. Ephes Dammim -- a place in Judah Library Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ... The Mosaic Law the Fountain of all Ethics, and the Source from ... Narrow Escapes. Is Thrown from a Horse. Has Pneumonia. Nearly ... Recognition and Reconciliation No Difference Philosophy Vs. Christianity External Foes. Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the ... Of Fascination. 1 John iv. 17-21 Thesaurus Dam (5 Occurrences)... 5. (vt) To obstruct or restrain the flow of, by a dam; to confine by constructing a dam, as a stream of water; -- generally used with in or up. ...DAM. ... /d/dam.htm - 9k Elma'dam (1 Occurrence) Dam'aris (1 Occurrence) Pas-dam'mim (1 Occurrence) E'phes-Dam'mim (1 Occurrence) Damn Damnation (11 Occurrences) Damnable (1 Occurrence) Damascenes (1 Occurrence) Ephes-dammim (1 Occurrence) Resources What does the Bible say about dealing with difficult people? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 23)? | GotQuestions.org What is the principle of double effect? | GotQuestions.org Dam: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Dam (5 Occurrences)Exodus 22:30 Leviticus 22:27 Deuteronomy 22:6 Deuteronomy 22:7 Proverbs 17:14 Subtopics Related Terms |
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