Water
“Mayim, the common Hebrew word for water, always appearing in plural form”
Summary
Water was a precious and essential resource in Palestine, valued for its scarcity and serving as a powerful symbol throughout Scripture for spiritual life, purification, and divine blessing.
☩Sources and Supply
Palestine's only source of water was rainfall, which fell primarily from November to March. During the long dry summers, inhabitants depended on wells, springs, and cisterns for their water supply. Running water from streams and fountains was called 'living water' as opposed to stagnant cistern water. Water was commonly drawn by women and carried in large vessels on the shoulder or head. Public reservoirs and pools were constructed, and elaborate aqueducts like Solomon's conduit conveyed water to cities.
☩Ceremonial and Religious Use
Washing with water held considerable importance in Jewish Temple ceremony, with sacrifices and priests being washed as required by law. The water of separation was used for purification from defilement. Water was poured out as a libation before the Lord. In the New Testament, water baptism symbolized moral cleansing in repentance, though John the Baptist pointed to a greater baptism with the Holy Spirit.
☩Symbolic and Spiritual Meaning
Water served as a rich symbol in Scripture. It represented trouble and affliction when overwhelming, children and posterity, and the ordinances of the Gospel. Jesus declared Himself the source of living water, promising that whoever drinks would never thirst again and would have rivers of living water flowing from within, referring to the Holy Spirit. The Revelation pictures a river of the water of life flowing from God's throne, and invites all who thirst to come and drink freely.
☩Miracles Involving Water
Scripture records numerous miracles involving water: the dividing of the Red Sea and Jordan River, water from the rock for Israel in the wilderness, and water provided miraculously for Samson and Jehoshaphat's army. Jesus walked upon water, calmed the storm, and performed His first miracle turning water into wine at Cana. Elisha purified bitter waters at Jericho.
Related Verses634 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Water," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Water," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "WATER SUPPLY IN PALESTINE," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. XII (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Water," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 5.James Hastings (ed.), "Water," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).