Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Water is a fundamental element in the Bible, symbolizing life, purification, and divine provision. It appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, serving both literal and metaphorical purposes.Creation and Sustenance In the creation narrative, water is one of the first elements mentioned. Genesis 1:2 describes the Spirit of God hovering over the waters, indicating the primordial presence of water in God's creative work. Water is essential for sustaining life, as seen in Genesis 2:10, where a river flows out of Eden to water the garden, highlighting its role in nurturing creation. Judgment and Deliverance Water is also a means of divine judgment and deliverance. The Great Flood in Genesis 6-9 serves as a powerful example of water as an instrument of God's judgment against human wickedness. Yet, it also becomes a means of salvation for Noah and his family, who are preserved through the waters in the ark. Similarly, the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14 demonstrates God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, as they pass through the waters on dry ground. Purification and Rituals Water is frequently associated with purification and ritual cleansing in the Old Testament. Levitical laws prescribe various washings for ceremonial cleanliness (Leviticus 11-15). The practice of baptism in the New Testament, as seen in the ministry of John the Baptist, symbolizes repentance and spiritual cleansing. In Matthew 3:11, John states, "I baptize you with water for repentance," indicating the purifying role of water in the believer's life. Spiritual Symbolism Water holds deep spiritual symbolism in the Bible. Jesus refers to Himself as the source of "living water" in John 4:10-14, offering eternal life to those who believe in Him. This metaphor underscores the life-giving and sustaining power of Christ's presence. In John 7:37-38, Jesus invites those who are thirsty to come to Him and drink, promising that "rivers of living water will flow from within them," signifying the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Divine Provision Throughout Scripture, water is a symbol of God's provision and care for His people. In the wilderness, God provides water from a rock to quench the thirst of the Israelites (Exodus 17:6). This miraculous provision is later referenced by Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:4, where he identifies the rock as Christ, emphasizing God's continual provision through His Son. Eschatological Imagery In the prophetic and eschatological literature, water often symbolizes the abundance and restoration of God's kingdom. Ezekiel 47:1-12 describes a vision of a river flowing from the temple, bringing life and healing wherever it goes. Similarly, Revelation 22:1-2 depicts the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb, nourishing the tree of life and symbolizing the eternal sustenance and healing in the new creation. Water, in its various forms and uses, is a profound and multifaceted symbol in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's creative power, judgment, purification, provision, and promise of eternal life. ATS Bible Dictionary WaterIn Isaiah 35:7, the Hebrew word for "parched ground" that shall become a pool of water, is the same with the Arabic term for the mirage, a peculiar optical illusion by which travelers in hot and dry deserts think they see broad lakes and flowing waters; they seem to discern the very ripple of the waves, and the swaying of tail trees on the margin in the cool breeze; green hills and houses and city ramparts rise before the astonished sight, recede as the traveler advances, and at length melt away in the hot haze. Not so the blessings of the gospel; they are no alluring mockery, but real waters of everlasting life, Isaiah 55:1 John 4:14 Revelation 22:1. Compare Isaiah 29:8 Jeremiah 15:18. Easton's Bible Dictionary Water of jealousyA phrase employed (not, however, in Scripture) to denote the water used in the solemn ordeal prescribed by the law of Moses (Numbers 5:11-31) in cases of "jealousy." Water of purification Used in cases of ceremonial cleansings at the consecration of the Levites (Numbers 8:7). It signified, figuratively, that purifying of the heart which must characterize the servants of God. Water of separation Used along with the ashes of a red heifer for the ceremonial cleansing of persons defiled by contact with a dead body (Numbers 19). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The fluid which descends from the clouds in rain, and which forms rivers, lakes, seas, etc.2. (n.) A body of water, standing or flowing; a lake, river, or other collection of water. 3. (n.) Any liquid secretion, humor, or the like, resembling water; esp., the urine. 4. (n.) A solution in water of a gaseous or readily volatile substance; as, ammonia water. 5. (n.) The limpidity and luster of a precious stone, especially a diamond; as, a diamond of the first water, that is, perfectly pure and transparent. Hence, of the first water, that is, of the first excellence. 6. (n.) A wavy, lustrous pattern or decoration such as is imparted to linen, silk, metals, etc. See Water, v. t., 3, Damask, v. t., and Damaskeen. 7. (n.) An addition to the shares representing the capital of a stock company so that the aggregate par value of the shares is increased while their value for investment is diminished, or diluted. 8. (v. t.) To wet or supply with water; to moisten; to overflow with water; to irrigate; as, to water land; to water flowers. 9. (v. t.) To supply with water for drink; to cause or allow to drink; as, to water cattle and horses. 10. (v. t.) To wet and calender, as cloth, so as to impart to it a lustrous appearance in wavy lines; to diversify with wavelike lines; as, to water silk. Cf. Water, n., 6. 11. (n.) To add water to (anything), thereby extending the quantity or bulk while reducing the strength or quality; to extend; to dilute; to weaken. 12. (v. i.) To shed, secrete, or fill with, water or liquid matter; as, his eyes began to water. 13. (v. i.) To get or take in water; as, the ship put into port to water. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BLOOD AND WATER(haima kai hudor): The remarkable passage (John 19:34) from which this expression is taken refers to the piercing of the Savior's side by the soldier. The evangelist notes here what he, as an eyewitness of the crucifixion, had seen as a surprising fact. Whereon this surprise was founded cannot now be more than guessed at. Nor is it necessary here to discuss the reason or reasons why the apostle mentions the fact at all in his report, whether merely for historical accuracy and completeness, or as a possible proof of the actual death of Christ, which at an early date became a subject of doubt among certain Christian sects, or whether by it he wished to refer to the mystical relation of baptismal cleansing ("water") and the atonement ("blood") as signified thereby. Let it suffice to state that a reference often made to 1 John 5:6, 8 is here quite out of place. This passage, though used by certain Fathers of the church as a proof of the last-named doctrine, does not indeed refer to this wonderful incident of the crucifixion story. The argument of 1 John 5:8 concerns the Messiahship of Jesus, which is proved by a threefold witness, for He is the one whom at the baptism of John ("water") God attested as the Messiah by the heavenly voice, "This is my beloved Son," who at the crucifixion ("blood") had the testimony that the Father had accepted His atoning sacrifice, and whose promise of sending the Comforter fulfilled on Pentecost ("spirit") presented us with the final proof of the completed Messianic task. The same expression in 1 John 5:6 refers probably to the same argument with the implied meaning that Jesus came not only by the merely ceremonial water of baptism, but also by the more important, because vivifying, blood of atonement. DRAWER OF WATER dro'-er, (sho'ebh mayim, from sha'abh, "to bale up" water): In Syria and Palestine, outside of Mt. Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon, the springs of water are scarce and the inhabitants of these less favored places have always depended upon wells and cisterns for their water supply. This necessitates some device for drawing the water. In the case of a cistern or shallow well, an earthenware water jar or a bucket made of tanned goats' skin is lowered into the water by a rope and then raised by pulling up the rope hand over hand (probably the ancient method), or by running the rope over a crude pulley fixed directly over the cistern or well. In the case of deep wells, the rope, attached to a larger bucket, is run over a pulley so that the water may be raised by the drawers walking away from the well as they pull the rope. Frequently animals are hitched to the rope to do the pulling. WATER wo'-ter (mayim; hudor): WATER OF SEPARATION (OR OF UNCLEANNESS) See DEFILEMENT; SEPARATION; UNCLEANNESS. BITTER WATER See ADULTERY (2); MARAH. BITTERNESS, WATER OF See ADULTERY (2). JEALOUSY, WATER OF See ADULTERY, (2). WATER OF BITTERNESS (OR OF JEALOUSY) See ADULTERY, (2). Greek 5204. hudor -- water ... 5203, 5204. hudor. 5205 . water. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: hudor Phonetic Spelling: (hoo'-dore) Short Definition: water Definition: water ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5204.htm - 6k 5202. hudropoteo -- to drink water 501. antleo -- to bail out, draw water 5201. hudria -- a water pot, a pot or jar 2830. kludon -- a billow (of water) 4077. pege -- a spring (of water) 4722. stego -- to cover closely (so as to keep water out) ... 504. anudros -- waterless 4222. potizo -- to give to drink 4215. potamos -- a river Strong's Hebrew 4325. mayim -- waters, water... 4324, 4325. mayim. 4326 . waters, water. Transliteration: mayim Phonetic Spelling: (mah'-yim) Short Definition: water. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/4325.htm - 6k 7579. shaab -- to draw (water) 8248. shaqah -- cause to drink water, give to drink 4857. mashab -- probably place of drawing (water) 4833. marpes -- (water) befouled 1802a. dalah -- to draw (water) 66. Abel Mayim -- "meadow of water" 4956. Misrephoth Mayim -- "burning of water," a place in Isr. ... 88. Oboth -- "water-skins," a place in Edom 2573. chemeth -- a water skin Library The Water of Life and Other Sermons Water-Lilies A Water Haul. The Rock and the Water Whether the Mixing with Water is Essential to this Sacrament? Commentaries and Standards on the Birth of Water and Spirit. Living Water A Talk About the Water of Life. The Water of Life; The Genesis Water-Mark. Thesaurus Water (4571 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary Water of jealousy. A phrase employed (not, however, in ... cases of "jealousy.". Water of purification. Used in cases ... /w/water.htm - 23k Water-spring (16 Occurrences) Water-vessel (14 Occurrences) Water-springs (12 Occurrences) Water-hole (25 Occurrences) Water-courses (9 Occurrences) Water-holes (8 Occurrences) Water-plants (7 Occurrences) Water-gate (5 Occurrences) Water-brooks (6 Occurrences) Resources What is the symbolism of water baptism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about holy water? | GotQuestions.org What did Jesus mean when He spoke of living water? | GotQuestions.org Water: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Water (4571 Occurrences)Water is used 4571 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Water in Times of Scarcity, Sold at an Enormous Price Water of Bitterness or of Jealousy Water of Separation or of Uncleanness Water of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit Water was Used by Jews for Culinary Purposes Water was Used by Jews for Legal Purification Water was Used by Jews for Washing the Person Water was Used by Jews: As Their Principal Beverage Water: (Covering the Sea) of the General Diffusion of The Water: (Deep) of Counsel in the Heart Water: (Deep) of Severe Affliction Water: (Deep) of the Words of the Wise Water: (Difficulty of Stopping) of Strife and Contention Water: (Its Instability) of a Wavering Disposition Water: (Its Weakness) of Faintness and Cowardice Water: (Many) of a Variety of Afflictions Water: (Many) of Different Nations and People Water: (Noise of Many) of the Word of Christ Water: (Poured Out) Faintness by Terror Water: (Poured Out) the Wrath of God Water: (Pouring, out of Buckets) a Numerous Progeny Water: (Rapidly Flowing Away) the Career of the Wicked Water: (Spilled on the Ground) Death Water: (Still) the Ordinances of the Gospel Water: Artificial Mode of Conveying, Into Large Cities Water: Collected in The Clouds Water: Covered the Whole Earth Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use Water: God Originally: Collected Into One Place Water: God Originally: Created Fowls and Fishes From Water: God Originally: Created the Firmament to Divide Water: Kept for Purification in Large Waterpots Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Jaw-Bone of an Ass Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Rock Water: Miracles Connected With: Consumed by Fire from Heaven Water: Miracles Connected With: Divided and Made to Stand on Heap Water: Miracles Connected With: Healing Powers Communicated To Water: Miracles Connected With: Iron Made to Swim In Water: Miracles Connected With: Our Lord Walking On Water: Miracles Connected With: Trenches Filled With Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Blood Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Wine Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Jehoshaphat's Army Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Samson Water: Miraculously Supplied: To the Israelites Water: Necessary to the Comfort and Happiness of Man Water: Necessary to Vegetation Water: One of the Elements of the World Water: Rises in Vapour to the Clouds Water: some Plants Particularly Require Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity Water: The World and Its Inhabitants Once Destroyed By Water: The World not to be Again Destroyed By Water: Wearing the Hardest Substances Related Terms Water-springs (12 Occurrences) |