In biblical times, wells were essential sources of water, serving as vital resources for daily life, agriculture, and livestock. They are frequently mentioned throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing sustenance, life, and divine provision. Wells also often serve as significant settings for key biblical events and encounters.

Old Testament References

1. Genesis 16:14 · The well is first mentioned in the account of Hagar, where the Angel of the Lord finds her by a spring of water in the wilderness. This well is named Beer Lahai Roi, meaning "the well of the Living One who sees me," highlighting God's providence and care.

2. Genesis 21:19 · God opens Hagar's eyes to a well of water in the desert, saving her and her son Ishmael from perishing. This act underscores God's compassion and provision for those in need.

3. Genesis 24:11-20 · Wells are central to the account of Isaac's marriage to Rebekah. Abraham's servant finds Rebekah at a well, where she offers water to him and his camels, demonstrating hospitality and fulfilling God's guidance in finding a wife for Isaac.

4. Genesis 26:18-22 · Isaac reopens the wells dug by his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up. The reopening of these wells signifies the continuation of God's covenant blessings through Isaac.

5. Exodus 15:27 · After the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, they come to Elim, where there are twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. This oasis provides rest and refreshment, symbolizing God's provision during their journey.

New Testament References

1. John 4:6-14 · One of the most significant New Testament references to a well is Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. Here, Jesus speaks of "living water," offering spiritual sustenance and eternal life. This interaction emphasizes the transition from physical to spiritual nourishment.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Wells in the Bible often symbolize life, sustenance, and divine blessing. They are places of encounter, revelation, and covenant. The provision of water from a well is frequently associated with God's faithfulness and care for His people. In a spiritual sense, wells can represent the depth of God's word and the refreshment it brings to the soul.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the arid climate of the ancient Near East, wells were crucial for survival. They were often located in strategic places and were sometimes the cause of disputes, as seen in the conflicts over wells between Isaac and the Philistines (Genesis 26:20-22). Wells were also social gathering places, where people met and interacted, as illustrated in the accounts of Rebekah and the Samaritan woman.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, wells serve as more than just physical sources of water; they are rich in spiritual meaning and historical significance. They remind believers of God's provision, the importance of community, and the deeper spiritual truths found in Christ, the source of living water.4223. Potioloi -- Puteoli, a city on the Bay of Naples
... Puteoli. Of Latin origin; little wells, ie Mineral springs; Potioli (ie Puteoli),
a place in Italy -- Puteoli. (potiolous) -- 1 Occurrence. 4222, 4223. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4223.htm - 6k881. Beeroth -- "wells," a place in Palestine
... "wells," a place in Palestine. Transliteration: Beeroth Phonetic Spelling:
(be-ay-rohth') Short Definition: Beeroth. ... of beer Definition "wells," a place in ...
/hebrew/881.htm - 6k

885. Beeroth Bene-yaaqan -- "wells of (the) sons of Jaakan," a ...
... "wells of (the ... Word Origin from beer, ben and Yaaqan Definition "wells of (the) sons
of Jaakan," a place in the desert NASB Word Usage Beeroth Bene-jaakan (1). ...
/hebrew/885.htm - 6k

875. beer -- a well, pit
... well. Word Origin from baar Definition a well, pit NASB Word Usage pit
(2), pits (1), well (29), well's (1), wells (3). pit, well. ...
/hebrew/875.htm - 6k

Wells
... Wells. Wells, Marcus Morris, is the author of one of our most popular modern
hymns on the Holy Spirit and also the composer of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/nutter/hymn writers of the church/wells.htm

Mr. HG Wells and the Giants
... V. Mr. HG Wells and the Giants. We ought to see far enough into a hypocrite
to see even his sincerity. We ... I mean Mr. HG Wells. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/v mr h g wells and.htm

July the Twenty-Sixth the Wells of Salvation
... JULY The Twenty-sixth THE WELLS OF SALVATION. JOHN iii.1-21. The springs
of our redemption are found in infinite love. "God is love ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/july the twenty-sixth the wells.htm

And Erring Widely from the Meaning of Scripture, He Says that "God ...
... Chapter XLIV. And erring widely from the meaning of Scripture, he says that
"God gave wells also? And erring widely from the meaning ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xliv and erring widely.htm

Letter W
... 1797 * Weeks, Smith "Received 1792, Located 1799 * Weirich, Christian E. "Received
1836 * Welborn, James W. "Received 1834 * Wells, BF "Received 1836 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter w.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Noah
... The wells of the abysms were broken, and the cataracts of heaven were opened, that
is to say the clouds, and it rained on the earth forty days and forty nights ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of.htm

The History of Saul
... And God showed many vengeances to them of the country as long as the ark was with
them, for God smote them with sickness, and wells boiled in towns and fields ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

Introduction
... It is my hope and belief that the effort of my friend, Mr. Philip P. Wells, to make
this a collection of religious classics in the full meaning of these words ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/introduction.htm

The First Apostle of Peace at any Price
... For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham
his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the first apostle of peace.htm

Here Followeth the History of Tobit
... them. Tobias said: Lord God of our fathers, heaven and earth, sea, wells,
and floods, and all creatures that be in them, bless thee. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the history of 2.htm

Wells (15 Occurrences)
...Wells (15 Occurrences). 2 Peter 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds driven
by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever. ...
/w/wells.htm - 11k

Digged-wells (1 Occurrence)
Digged-wells. Diggedst, Digged-wells. Diggeth . Multi-Version
Concordance Digged-wells (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 9:25 ...
/d/digged-wells.htm - 6k

Aqueduct (4 Occurrences)
... sis'-tern: Use of Terms 1. General 2. Wells or Cylindrical Cisterns 3. Private Cisterns
4. Public Cisterns 5. Pools and Aqueducts 6. Figurative Uses LITERATURE ...
/a/aqueduct.htm - 23k

Cistern (21 Occurrences)
... sis'-tern: Use of Terms 1. General 2. Wells or Cylindrical Cisterns 3. Private Cisterns
4. Public Cisterns 5. Pools and Aqueducts 6. Figurative Uses LITERATURE ...
/c/cistern.htm - 29k

Drawer (1 Occurrence)
... 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 ...
/d/drawer.htm - 11k

Pool (25 Occurrences)
... sis'-tern: Use of Terms 1. General 2. Wells or Cylindrical Cisterns 3. Private Cisterns
4. Public Cisterns 5. Pools and Aqueducts 6. Figurative Uses LITERATURE ...
/p/pool.htm - 40k

Digged (37 Occurrences)
... Genesis 26:15 For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days
of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them ...
/d/digged.htm - 18k

Beersheba (33 Occurrences)
... It is still called by the Arabs Bir es-Seba, ie, "well of the seven", where there
are to the present day two principal wells and five smaller ones. ...
/b/beersheba.htm - 22k

Diggeth (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 26:18 and Isaac turneth back, and diggeth the wells of water which they
digged in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines do stop after ...
/d/diggeth.htm - 8k

Dothan (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Two wells, a famous pasture-ground where Joseph
found his brethren watching their flocks. Here, at the ...
/d/dothan.htm - 8k

What is the significance of Dothan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How can the light of stars billions of light years away from the earth have reached us if the earth is only thousands of years old? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Isaac in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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