Topical Encyclopedia Irrigation, the artificial application of water to the land or soil, is a practice that has been essential for agriculture and sustaining life in arid regions. The Bible, while not providing technical details on irrigation methods, references the importance of water management and the divine provision of water for the sustenance of life and agriculture.Genesis 2:10-14 · The first mention of a water system in the Bible is found in the description of the Garden of Eden. A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divided into four headwaters: Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. This passage highlights the natural irrigation system established by God to sustain the lushness of Eden. Deuteronomy 11:10-11 · "For the land you are entering to possess is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and irrigated it by hand as in a vegetable garden. But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven." This passage contrasts the manual irrigation practices of Egypt with the reliance on divine provision through rain in the Promised Land, emphasizing dependence on God for agricultural success. Isaiah 30:23 · "Then He will give rain for the seed you have sown in the ground, and the food that comes from your land will be rich and plentiful. On that day your cattle will graze in open pastures." Here, the promise of rain is directly linked to agricultural abundance, underscoring the importance of water for crop growth and the prosperity of the land. Isaiah 32:20 · "Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely." This verse suggests the advantage of sowing near water sources, which would naturally include irrigation practices to ensure the availability of water for crops. Ecclesiastes 11:1 · "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." While this verse is often interpreted metaphorically, it also reflects the agricultural practice of sowing seeds in well-watered areas, trusting in the eventual return of a harvest. Psalm 65:9-10 · "You attend to the earth and water it; with abundance You enrich it. The streams of God are full of water, for You prepare our grain by providing for the earth. You soak its furrows and level its ridges; You soften it with showers and bless its growth." This passage poetically describes God's role in watering the earth, ensuring the fertility and productivity of the land. Jeremiah 17:7-8 · "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." This imagery of a tree planted by water illustrates the spiritual and physical sustenance provided by a reliable water source, akin to irrigation. Throughout the Scriptures, water is depicted as a vital resource, both physically and spiritually. The biblical references to irrigation and water management reflect the understanding of its necessity for life and the acknowledgment of God's provision in ensuring the fertility and productivity of the land. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 11:10For the land, where you go in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from from where you came out, where you sowed your seed, and watered it with your foot, as a garden of herbs: Nave's Topical Index Proverbs 21:1 Ecclesiastes 2:6 Isaiah 58:11 Library The Book of Humanity Psalm CIX. Acts x. 4-Jan Spoken in Antioch in the Old Church, as it was Called... Chapter ii The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt The Rise of the Assyrian Empire Resources What is the significance of Egypt in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Sumerians? | GotQuestions.org Irrigation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |