Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

WELL

A shaft excavated to collect seepage from a water-bearing stratum beneath the ground (Heb. bĕʾēr, bôr; Gk. pēg, phréar). Unlike a spring, its water is not visible on the surface.

The idea of digging for water must have occurred upon observation of springs coming from the ground or from seeing animals scratching the surface of dry streambeds to reach water 10-20 cm. (4-8 in.) below. Today, Bedouin of the Negeb dig these shallow wells, and in some areas chains of wells (qanats), tapping the same aquifer in a line as long as 3-4 km. (2-2.5 mi). Wells were lined with wood, stone, or baked brick for stability, capped with stone wellheads, and protected by a stone covering the openings. Large wells, such as the one 21 m. (69 ft.) deep at Arad, served the needs of entire communities.

The prominence of wells led to the incorporation of the term in many place names (e.g., Beer-sheba), and wells themselves were given names (Gen. 26:20-22). The Song of the Well in Num. 21:16-18 reflects not only the joy of successfully digging a well, but also the leadership required to support such an undertaking. Wells were the object of strife among local inhabitants (Gen. 21:25-30; 26:18-22) and were sometimes filled in by enemies (26:18). They were located inside cities (2 Sam. 17:18-19) as well as outside (Gen. 16:7, 14; 24:11; 29:2; 2 Sam. 23:15; John 4:6-8), where they also served livestock (Gen. 29:1-10; Exod. 2:15-17). Some wells were open to strangers and a location for conversation and information (Gen. 24:10-27; 29:1-14; John 4:6-8).

“Well” is used figuratively to refer to an adulteress (Prov. 23:27), a lover (Cant. 4:15), a city (Jer. 6:7), and a source of eternal life (John 4:14).

Bibliography. R. Amiran, R. Goethert, and O. Ilan, “The Well at Arad,” BARev 13/2 (1987): 40-44; I. Carmi et al., “The Dating of Ancient Water-Wells by Archaeological and 14C Methods,” IEJ 44 (1944): 184-200; M. Evenari, L. Shanan, and N. Tadmor, The Negev: The Challenge of a Desert, 2nd ed. (Cambridge, Mass., 1982); R. J. Forbes, “Water Supply,” in Studies in Ancient Technology, 3rd ed. (Leiden, 1993) 1:149-94; D. Hillel, Rivers of Eden: The Struggle for Water and the Quest for Peace in the Middle East (Oxford, 1994); V. R. Matthews, “The Wells of Gerar,” BA 49 (1986): 118-26.

James H. Pace







Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)

Info Language Arrow Return to Top
Prayer Tents is a Christian mission organization that serves Christians around the world and their local bodies to make disciples ("evangelize") more effectively in their communities. Prayer Tents provides resources to enable Christians to form discipleship-focused small groups and make their gatherings known so that other "interested" people may participate and experience Christ in their midst. Our Vision is to make disciples in all nations through the local churches so that anyone seeking God can come to know Him through relationships with other Christians near them.

© Prayer Tents 2024.
Prayer Tents Facebook icon Prayer Tents Twitter icon Prayer Tents Youtube icon Prayer Tents Linkedin icon