In biblical literature, the term "well-spring" is often used metaphorically to describe a source of life, sustenance, and spiritual nourishment. It is a vivid image that conveys the idea of an abundant and life-giving source, much like a natural spring that provides water in a dry and arid land. The concept of a well-spring is deeply rooted in the agrarian culture of the ancient Near East, where water was a precious and vital resource.

Old Testament References

The imagery of a well-spring is frequently found in the Old Testament, where it is used to symbolize God's provision and blessing. In Proverbs 4:23, the heart is described as a well-spring of life: "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining a pure and righteous heart, as it is the source from which one's actions and life flow.

In the Song of Solomon, the beloved is likened to a garden fountain, a well of living water: "You are a garden spring, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon" (Song of Solomon 4:15). This poetic imagery highlights the refreshing and life-giving nature of love and intimacy within the context of marriage.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of a well-spring is further developed in the teachings of Jesus. In John 4:14, Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well, saying, "But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life." Here, Jesus presents Himself as the ultimate source of spiritual life and satisfaction, offering living water that quenches the deepest thirst of the soul.

The Apostle John also uses the imagery of a well-spring in Revelation 21:6, where God declares, "To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life." This promise of eternal life and sustenance is extended to all who seek God and His righteousness.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the well-spring represents the inexhaustible and sustaining grace of God. It is a symbol of His continuous provision and the life-giving power of His Word and Spirit. Just as a physical spring provides water essential for life, so too does God provide spiritual nourishment and vitality to His people.

The well-spring also serves as a reminder of the believer's responsibility to remain connected to the source of life. In John 15:5, Jesus teaches, "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." This connection to Christ, the true well-spring, is essential for spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the concept of a well-spring encourages believers to seek God as their primary source of strength and sustenance. It calls for a life of prayer, meditation on Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. By drawing from the well-spring of God's grace, believers are equipped to face the challenges of life with hope and resilience.

The well-spring also inspires a life of generosity and service, as believers are called to be conduits of God's love and grace to others. As recipients of the living water, Christians are encouraged to share this life-giving source with a world in need, reflecting the abundant and overflowing nature of God's provision.4726. maqor -- a spring, fountain
... fountain, issue, spring, wellspring. ... euphemism, of the female pudenda); figuratively,
of happiness, wisdom, progeny) -- fountain, issue, spring, well(-spring). ...
/hebrew/4726.htm - 6k

The Well-Spring of Salvation
... THE WELL-SPRING OF SALVATION. 'Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the
wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3. ... God Himself is the well-spring of salvation. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the well-spring of salvation.htm

A Bundle of Proverbs
... 'Understanding is a wellspring of life ... apprehends and rightly deals with the deepest
fact of life, our relation to God and to His law, is a 'well-spring of life ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a bundle of proverbs.htm

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
... it is well said through Solomon, He that letteth out water is a well-spring of strifes ...
xviii.4). He therefore who letteth out water is the wellspring of strifes ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xiv how the silent.htm

Out of the Deep of Fear and Anxiety.
... in everything else, to find out that everything else disappoints, and to come back
to Him, that fountain of all wholesome pleasure, that well-spring of all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/iii out of the deep.htm

The Ancestral Home
... What a river of blessing has flowed from that humble, cottage well-spring. The
wilderness and the parched land have been made glad by it. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/i the ancestral home.htm

God.
... himself?" He may well be called the God of glory, as well as the glorious Lord;
for as all glory is from him, so in him is an inconceivable well-spring of glory ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/i god.htm

The Home Scene.
... for the holy quiet of thy breast, Midst the world's eager tones and footsteps flying,
Thou whose calm soul was like a well-spring, lying So deep and still in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/ii the home scene.htm

A Gracious Dismissal
... thirst again! The lips of our divine Lord are a well-spring of delight;
each word is a chalice brimmed with sweetness. Imbibing ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a gracious dismissal.htm

Infancy.
... CHAPTER IX. INFANCY. "A babe in a house is a well-spring of pleasure, a messenger
of peace and love; A resting place for innocence on earth; a link between ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter ix infancy.htm

Review
... age: . . . when the highest minds found in its truths not only the rule of
their lives, but a well-spring of intellectual delight. Is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/review.htm

Wellspring (3 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WELLSPRING. ...Wellspring (3 Occurrences). Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. ...
/w/wellspring.htm - 7k

Well-spring (3 Occurrences)
Well-spring. Wellspring, Well-spring. Well-to-do . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Wellspring, Well-spring. Well-to-do . Reference Bible.
/w/well-spring.htm - 7k

Well-to-do (1 Occurrence)
Well-to-do. Well-spring, Well-to-do. Well-trained . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(See NIV). Well-spring, Well-to-do. Well-trained . Reference Bible.
/w/well-to-do.htm - 6k

Well (2882 Occurrences)
... caving in. 3. (n.) A shaft made in the earth to obtain oil or brine. 4.
(vi) Fig.: A source of supply; fountain; wellspring. 5. (n ...
/w/well.htm - 39k

Well-set (1 Occurrence)
Well-set. Well-satisfied, Well-set. Wellspring . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(DBY NAS RSV). Well-satisfied, Well-set. Wellspring . Reference Bible.
/w/well-set.htm - 7k

Correction (26 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV NIV). Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him
that hath it; But the correction of fools is 'their' folly. (ASV). ...
/c/correction.htm - 15k

Chastisement (24 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath
it; But the correction of fools is their folly. (See JPS RSV). ...
/c/chastisement.htm - 18k

Diligence (31 Occurrences)
... imprisonment. (WEB JPS ASV). Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence,
for out of it is the wellspring of life. (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS). ...
/d/diligence.htm - 18k

Instruction (117 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath
it: but the instruction of fools is folly. (KJV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/i/instruction.htm - 35k

What can we learn from the woman at the well? | GotQuestions.org

What is the problem of good? | GotQuestions.org

What is the water of life? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus