In biblical times, the concept of sluices, though not explicitly mentioned by name in the Scriptures, can be understood through the broader context of water management and irrigation practices in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Sluices are essentially channels or gates used to control the flow of water, often for irrigation or flood management purposes. The Bible, while not directly referencing sluices, provides insight into the importance of water control in the agricultural and daily life of the Israelites.

Water Management in Ancient Israel

The land of Israel, characterized by its varied topography and climate, required effective water management systems to support agriculture and sustain life. The Israelites, like their neighboring cultures, developed sophisticated methods to harness and distribute water. This included the use of channels, cisterns, and other means to direct water where it was needed most.

Biblical References to Water Control

While the term "sluice" is not found in the Bible, several passages highlight the significance of water management:

1. Isaiah 32:20 : "Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely." This verse underscores the blessing of having access to ample water for agriculture, suggesting the use of irrigation techniques to ensure crops receive necessary hydration.

2. Proverbs 21:1 : "The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases." This metaphorical use of waterway control reflects the understanding of directing water flow, akin to the function of sluices in guiding water.

3. Ecclesiastes 11:1 : "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." This passage, while often interpreted metaphorically, also hints at the practice of utilizing water channels for agricultural purposes, as casting bread upon waters could relate to sowing seeds in well-irrigated fields.

Historical Context

The ancient Israelites were influenced by the advanced water management systems of neighboring civilizations, such as the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, who utilized canals and sluices extensively. The construction of terraces, aqueducts, and other irrigation structures in Israel reflects a similar understanding of water control.

Spiritual Significance

Water in the Bible often carries spiritual symbolism, representing life, purification, and divine provision. The control and distribution of water, therefore, can also be seen as a reflection of God's providence and the stewardship responsibilities entrusted to humanity. The ability to manage water resources effectively was not only a practical necessity but also a testament to the wisdom and diligence of God's people.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention sluices, the principles of water management and control are woven throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the importance of these practices in the life and faith of the Israelites.7938. seker -- hire, wages
... 1), wages (1). reward, sluices. From sakar; wages -- reward, sluices. see HEBREW
sakar. 7937, 7938. seker. 7939 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7938.htm - 6k

The Turning Point
... By all means pull up the sluices of your grief if the floods will turn the wheel
of action, but you may as well reserve your tears, if they mean no more than ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the turning point.htm

The Holy Spirit's Intercession
... Prayer is a great outlet for grief; it draws up the sluices, and abates
the swelling flood, which else might be too strong for us. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the holy spirits intercession.htm

Justice Satisfied
... Let a drowning world tell you how God lifted the sluices of the fountains of the
great deep, and bade the bubbling waters spring up and swallow up man alive. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/justice satisfied.htm

"Good-For-Nothing"
... The water-mill's sluices were opened, and the current was strong; the washing-stool
was nearly carried away by it, and the laundress had hard work to strive ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/good-for-nothing.htm

Another Archbishop
... at work. The floodgates of ecclesiastical ambition were opened, and poured
their muddy sluices over the capital of the East. All ...
/.../chapter xiv another archbishop.htm

Frederick ii; St. Lewis of France (Ad 1220-1270)
... out and carried off many of them; they suffered from famine, so that they were even
obliged to eat their horses; and the enemy, by opening the sluices of the ...
/.../chapter xiv frederick ii st.htm

Two Forms of one Saying
... that we should build up a dam to keep the floods of sorrow and trial from overflowing
our fields; we must turn the turbid waters into our sluices, and get them ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/two forms of one saying.htm

The Covenant Promise of the Spirit
... alliance with the daughters of men, and there was a league between the two races,
the Lord could not endure the evil mixture, but drew up the sluices of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the covenant promise of the.htm

1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a ...
... but the smoke continued to pour out in dense volumes, and ultimately they had to
abandon all hope of saving the ship except by opening the sluices and letting ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vii 1877-1879 they helped.htm

Watching for the King
... the desire for His coming, and make the whisper that He delays, a hope; while, on
the other hand, the hope that He delays helps to open the sluices, and let ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/watching for the king.htm

Sluices (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sluices (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 19:10 And they shall be
broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish. ...
/s/sluices.htm - 6k

Sluice
... sloos (sekher, literally, "hire"): In Isaiah 19:10, the King James Version reads,
"all that make sluices and ponds for fish." the Revised Version (British and ...
/s/sluice.htm - 7k

Slumber (14 Occurrences)

/s/slumber.htm - 10k

Fishpools (1 Occurrence)
... In Isaiah 19:10, again, instead of "all that make sluices and ponds for fish" (the
King James Version), we should certainly read, with the Revised Version ...
/f/fishpools.htm - 7k

Reservoir (1 Occurrence)
... In Isaiah 19:10 the rendering of the King James Version, "all that make sluices
and ponds for fish," would be an exception to this statement, but the Revised ...
/r/reservoir.htm - 12k

Pond (2 Occurrences)
... In Isaiah 19:10 the rendering of the King James Version, "all that make sluices
and ponds for fish," would be an exception to this statement, but the Revised ...
/p/pond.htm - 12k

Paddle (1 Occurrence)
... 9. (n.) A small gate in sluices or lock gates to admit or let off water; -- also
called clough. 10. (n.) A paddle-shaped foot, as of the sea turtle. 11. ...
/p/paddle.htm - 8k

Ponds (6 Occurrences)
... Hosts! (YLT). Isaiah 19:10 And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof,
all that make sluices and ponds for fish. (KJV WBS). ...
/p/ponds.htm - 8k

Maker (55 Occurrences)
... her" (Isaiah 9:1), "hath made it glorious"; for "shall make him of quick understanding"
(Isaiah 11:3), 'his delight shall be in"; for "make sluices and ponds ...
/m/maker.htm - 35k

Stone (290 Occurrences)
... its towers. And (23) I built the House of Moloch, and I made sluices for
the water-ditches in the midst (24) of the city. And there ...
/s/stone.htm - 54k

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