Topical Encyclopedia A cistern, in biblical times, was a vital structure used for collecting and storing water, especially in arid regions where natural water sources were scarce. These reservoirs were often hewn out of rock or constructed from clay and plastered to prevent leakage. Cisterns played a crucial role in the daily life and survival of ancient communities, providing water for drinking, irrigation, and various domestic uses.Old Testament References 1. Genesis 37:24 · The account of Joseph being cast into a cistern by his brothers highlights the use of cisterns as storage pits. "And they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty; there was no water in it." 2. 2 Kings 18:31 · Cisterns are mentioned in the context of self-sufficiency and security. "Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me, and each of you will eat from his own vine and fig tree and drink water from his own cistern." 3. Jeremiah 2:13 · The prophet Jeremiah uses the imagery of cisterns to convey spiritual truths, contrasting broken cisterns with the living water provided by God. "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." 4. Jeremiah 38:6 · The prophet Jeremiah himself was thrown into a cistern, illustrating its use as a prison or place of confinement. "So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud." Symbolic and Spiritual Significance Cisterns in the Bible often symbolize human efforts to find security and sustenance apart from God. The contrast between broken cisterns and the living water offered by God serves as a powerful metaphor for the futility of relying on human wisdom and strength instead of divine provision. Practical and Cultural Context In the ancient Near East, the construction and maintenance of cisterns were essential for survival. The scarcity of water made these structures invaluable, and their presence often determined the location and prosperity of settlements. Cisterns were typically covered to prevent evaporation and contamination, and their water was used judiciously, especially during dry seasons. New Testament Context While cisterns are not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament, the concept of living water, as seen in John 4:10-14, echoes the Old Testament imagery of God as the true source of life and sustenance. Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well underscores the inadequacy of physical water compared to the spiritual nourishment He offers. In summary, cisterns in the Bible serve as both practical necessities and profound symbols, illustrating the dependence of humanity on God's provision and the futility of seeking fulfillment apart from Him. Nave's Topical Index Isaiah 36:16Listen not to Hezekiah: for thus said the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat you every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink you every one the waters of his own cistern; Nave's Topical Index Library The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ... After the Whole People had Been Freed from all Distress... State in which Man was Created. The Faculties of the Soul --The ... Consolation Proportionate to Spiritual Sufferings A Few Sighs from Hell; The Saints' Privilege and Profit; The Desire of the Righteous Granted; The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem: Memoir of John Bunyan The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt Resources What did it mean to tear one's clothes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Joseph in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Judah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Cistern: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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