Watering, in the biblical context, refers to the act of providing water to plants, animals, or people, and is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual nourishment and growth. The Bible frequently uses the imagery of watering to convey themes of sustenance, blessing, and divine provision.

Old Testament References

In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, watering was a crucial activity for sustaining life and ensuring a fruitful harvest. Genesis 2:5-6 describes the initial state of the earth, noting that "no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not yet sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground. But springs welled up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground" . This passage highlights the importance of water in God's creation.

The account of Isaac in Genesis 26:12-22 illustrates the significance of wells and watering in the patriarchal narratives. Isaac's servants dug wells to provide water for their flocks, leading to disputes with the Philistines. The resolution of these disputes and the successful digging of a well at Rehoboth signified God's blessing and provision.

In the Mosaic Law, watering is also associated with justice and compassion. Deuteronomy 11:10-11 contrasts the land of Egypt, which required manual irrigation, with the Promised Land, which "drinks rain from heaven." This distinction underscores the dependence on God's provision rather than human effort.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, watering takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus uses the metaphor of living water in His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:10-14. He tells her, "If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water" . This living water represents the eternal life and spiritual satisfaction found in Christ.

The Apostle Paul employs the imagery of watering in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 to describe the process of spiritual growth within the church. He writes, "I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow" . This passage emphasizes the collaborative effort in ministry and the ultimate reliance on God for spiritual increase.

Symbolism and Themes

Watering in the Bible often symbolizes God's provision and care for His people. Isaiah 58:11 promises, "The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" . This imagery conveys the idea of spiritual refreshment and vitality provided by God.

The act of watering also serves as a metaphor for teaching and nurturing others in the faith. Proverbs 11:25 states, "A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" . This principle encourages believers to invest in the spiritual growth of others, trusting that they too will be blessed.

In summary, watering in the biblical narrative is a multifaceted concept that encompasses physical sustenance, spiritual nourishment, and divine blessing. It serves as a reminder of God's faithful provision and the importance of nurturing both physical and spiritual life.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Water.

2. (a. & n.) from Water.

8268. shoqeth -- watering trough
... watering trough. Transliteration: shoqeth Phonetic Spelling: (sho'-keth) Short
Definition: trough. ... trough. From shaqah; a trough (for watering) -- trough. ...
/hebrew/8268.htm - 6k

5095. nahal -- to lead or guide to a watering place, bring to a ...
... to lead or guide to a watering place, bring to a place of rest, refresh.
Transliteration: nahal Phonetic Spelling: (naw-hal') Short Definition: guide. ...
/hebrew/5095.htm - 6k

7377. ri -- moisture
... Word Origin from ravah Definition moisture NASB Word Usage moisture (1). watering.
From ravah; irrigation, ie A shower -- watering. see HEBREW ravah. ...
/hebrew/7377.htm - 6k

4325. mayim -- waters, water
... root Definition waters, water NASB Word Usage flood (1), loins (1), pool (1), Water
(5), water (373), watering (1), waterless* (1), waters (192). ...
/hebrew/4325.htm - 6k

4857. mashab -- probably place of drawing (water)
... Word Origin from shaab Definition probably place of drawing (water) NASB
Word Usage watering places (1). place of drawing water. ...
/hebrew/4857.htm - 6k

4945b. mashqeh -- irrigation, drink
... Word Origin from shaqah Definition irrigation, drink NASB Word Usage drink (1),
drinking (2), liquid (1), office (1), watering places (1), well watered (1). ...
/hebrew/4945b.htm - 5k

5097. nahalol -- a pasture
... Word Origin from nahal Definition a pasture NASB Word Usage watering places (1).
bush. From nahal; pasture -- bush. see HEBREW nahal. 5096, 5097. ...
/hebrew/5097.htm - 6k

3384. yarah -- to throw, shoot
... rain (1), set (1), shoot (10), shot (3), shot through (1), showed (1), taught (3),
teach (27), teacher (2), teaches (2), teaching (1), throws (1), watering (1 ...
/hebrew/3384.htm - 6k

7298. rahat -- a trough
... From an unused root apparently meaning to hollow out; a channel or watering-box;
by resemblance a ringlet of hair (as forming parallel lines) -- gallery, gutter ...
/hebrew/7298.htm - 5k

7301. ravah -- to be saturated, drink one's fill
... fill (1), drink our fill (1), fill (2), filled (1), made me drunk (1), satiated
(1), satisfy (2), soaked (1), water its abundantly (1), watering (1), waters (1 ...
/hebrew/7301.htm - 6k

Sponges and Watering-Cans
... TALK FIFTY-EIGHT. SPONGES AND WATERING-CANS. ... Do you have to be constantly urged
to do your duty? Are you a sponge? A watering-can is different. ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk fifty-eight sponges and watering-cans.htm

Of the Dry Stick Which, at the Bidding of his Senior, Abbot John ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XXIV. Of the dry stick which, at the bidding of his
senior, Abbot John kept on watering as if it would grow. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxiv of the dry.htm

"Rabbi," Says Nicodemus to Christ, "We Know that Thou Art a ...
... that they affirm the direct contrary, and compare all their inspired teachings and
instructions to the dead works of bare planting and watering, and which must ...
/.../address 70 0 0 rabbi says nicodemus.htm

God's Fellow-Workers
... They were like a couple of gardeners, one of whom did the planting, and the other
the watering; but neither the man that put the little plant into the ground ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/gods fellow-workers.htm

The Waterer Watered
... take a place; and when the plants have sprung up and need water, it is not only
the stalwart man with the axe who can now apply himself to watering, but even ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the waterer watered.htm

The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
... "Near Jericho is a very plentiful spring, and very rich for watering and moistening
the ground; it riseth near the old city, and Jesus the son of Nave took it. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 46 the country of.htm

Sabbath Healing. Mustard Seed and Leaven.
... the Lord answered him, and said, Ye hypocrites, doth not each one of you on the
sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxxvii sabbath healing mustard seed.htm

Sensual and Spiritual Excitement.
... which stimulates the pleasure of a fashionable life"which sends the votaries of
the world in a constant round from the capital to the watering place, and ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/ix sensual and spiritual excitement.htm

How Vespasian Upon Hearing of Some Commotions in Gall, Made Haste ...
... 3. Notwithstanding which, there is a fountain by Jericho, that runs plentifully,
and is very fit for watering the ground; it arises near the old city, which ...
/.../chapter 8 how vespasian upon.htm

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
... Everything is not accomplished in the mere planting; watering and cultivation
must follow. In this case the watering and cultivating ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty fourth sunday after trinity.htm

Watering (21 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Watering (21 Occurrences). ... (KJV ASV WBS). 1 Corinthians
3:6 I did the planting, Apollos did the watering, but God gave the increase. ...
/w/watering.htm - 12k

Watering-places (2 Occurrences)
Watering-places. Watering, Watering-places. Watering-troughs .
Multi-Version Concordance Watering-places (2 Occurrences). Genesis ...
/w/watering-places.htm - 7k

Watering-troughs (2 Occurrences)
Watering-troughs. Watering-places, Watering-troughs. Water-jug .
Multi-Version Concordance Watering-troughs (2 Occurrences). ...
/w/watering-troughs.htm - 7k

Planting (57 Occurrences)
... the reward. (BBE). 1 Corinthians 3:6 I did the planting, Apollos did the
watering, but God gave the increase. (BBE). 1 Corinthians ...
/p/planting.htm - 24k

Bush (14 Occurrences)
... The meaning appears to be rather a place for watering flocks, the corresponding
Arabic root nahal, having the meaning "to quench one's thirst," and the ...
/b/bush.htm - 19k

Shepherd (76 Occurrences)
... In other districts it is drawn from deep wells (Genesis 29:2 John 4:6). The usual
time for watering is at noon, at which time the flocks are led to the watering...
/s/shepherd.htm - 42k

Nile (37 Occurrences)
... 4. The Inundation: The, watering of Egypt by the inundation from the Nile is the
most striking feature of the physical character of that land, and one of the ...
/n/nile.htm - 29k

Water-holes (8 Occurrences)
Water-holes. Water-hole, Water-holes. Watering . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Water-hole, Water-holes. Watering . Reference Bible.
/w/water-holes.htm - 8k

Kedesh (12 Occurrences)
... interesting of the ancient remains. There are many fine sarcophagi, some of
them being used as watering-troughs. From its lofty situation ...
/k/kedesh.htm - 14k

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