Topical Encyclopedia In ancient times, the provision of water to cities was a critical concern, especially in arid regions where natural water sources were scarce. The Bible provides several references to the ingenious methods employed by ancient civilizations to ensure a steady supply of water to their urban centers. These methods reflect the resourcefulness and engineering skills of the people during biblical times.Aqueducts and Water Channels One of the most significant advancements in supplying water to cities was the construction of aqueducts and water channels. These structures were designed to transport water from distant sources to urban areas. The city of Jerusalem, for example, relied on such systems to bring water from springs and reservoirs. The Gihon Spring, a vital water source for Jerusalem, was connected to the city through a series of tunnels and channels, including Hezekiah's Tunnel, which is mentioned in 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?" Cisterns and Reservoirs Cisterns and reservoirs were another common method for storing and supplying water. These structures collected rainwater and stored it for use during dry periods. The Bible frequently mentions cisterns, highlighting their importance in daily life and survival. In Jeremiah 2:13, the prophet uses the imagery of broken cisterns to describe Israel's spiritual condition: "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." Wells Wells were also a crucial source of water for cities and rural areas alike. They were often dug deep into the ground to access underground water sources. The patriarchs of Israel, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are frequently associated with wells, which were essential for sustaining their families and flocks. Genesis 26:18 recounts Isaac reopening the wells that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham: "Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham and that the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them." Pools and Baths In addition to functional water supply systems, cities also constructed pools and baths for public use and ritual purification. The Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem is one such example, mentioned in John 9:7, where Jesus instructs a blind man to wash: "Then He told him, 'Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam' (which means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing." These pools served both practical and religious purposes, highlighting the multifaceted role of water in ancient urban life. Conclusion The artificial modes of supplying water to cities in biblical times demonstrate the ingenuity and adaptability of ancient societies. Through aqueducts, cisterns, wells, and pools, they ensured the survival and prosperity of their communities, reflecting a deep understanding of their environment and the vital importance of water. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 18:17And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 20:20 Library The Conquest of Babylon. Preparations for the Invasion of Greece. The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ... The Political Constitution of Egypt The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Resources What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Abraham bargain with God in regard to Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18)? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites? | GotQuestions.org Cities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Cities of Refuge of the Hope of the Gospel Cities of Refuge: (The Way To) Christ Cities of Refuge: Afforded No Asylum to Murderers Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Easy of Access Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Open to all Manslayers Cities of Refuge: Strangers Might Take Advantage of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to not Protected Outside of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Obliged to Remain In, Until the High Priest's Death Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Were Put on Their Trial Cities were Called For: The Country in Which Built Cities were Called For: The Family of the Founder Cities were Called For: The Proprietor of the Land Cities were Frequently: Besieged Cities were Frequently: Burned Cities were Frequently: Depopulated Cities were Frequently: Made Heaps of Ruins Cities were Frequently: Pillaged Cities were Frequently: Razed and Sown With Salt Cities were Frequently: Stormed Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Famine Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Pestilence Cities: A Great Defence to a Country Cities: Afforded Refuge in Times of Danger Cities: Arranged in Streets and Lanes Cities: Artificial Mode of Supplying Water To Cities: Built in Desert Places Cities: Built in Pleasant Situations Cities: Built of Brick and Mortar Cities: Built of Brick and Slime Cities: Built of Stone and Wood Cities: Built with Compactness Cities: Built: Often of a Square Form Cities: Built: On Solid Foundations Cities: Designated as Merchant Cities: Designated as Treasure Cities: Designed for Habitations Cities: Different Kinds of Chariot Cities: Different Kinds of Commercial Cities: Different Kinds of Fenced Cities: Different Kinds of Levitical Cities: Different Kinds of Refuge Cities: Different Kinds of Royal Cities: Different Kinds of Store Cities: Different Kinds of Treasure Cities: Difficulty of Taking, Alluded To Cities: Government of, by Rulers Cities: Inhabitants of, Called Citizens Cities: Often Built to Perpetuate a Name Cities: Often Deserted on the Approach of an Enemy Cities: Often Fortified by Art Cities: Often Fortified by Nature Cities: Often Founded and Enlarged by Blood and Rapine Cities: Often Great and Goodly Cities: Often of Great Antiquity Cities: Prosperity of, Increased by Commerce Cities: Protected at Night by Watchmen Related Terms Chariot-cities (3 Occurrences) Treasure-cities (1 Occurrence) Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) |
    |